Els shows rivals he means business

ERNIE ELS fired a warning to the pretenders to his Open title with a superb opening round in the disrupted Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

Els carded a seven-under-par 64 to set the clubhouse target after four hours play was lost following torrential rain.

Darren Clarke carded a first-round 69 playing alongside Els but the third member of the group, defending champion Eduardo Romero, had to settle for a one-over 72.