No-nonsense Els takes route 66 through desert

ERNIE ELS abandoned the search for the perfect round and just went for it in the Middle East yesterday.

The result was a six-under-par 66 and a one-stroke first-round lead over Ryder Cup pair David Howell and Miguel Angel Jimenez in the Dubai Desert Classic.

After missing out narrowly in the Majors last year and failing to put the finishing touches to some great play at the start of this season, Els felt it was time for a chat with Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout on his return from a three-week lay-off.