Earnest Ernie out on his Todd as he rains in putts

ERNIE ELS is not the kind of golfer who scorns a chance and, when the putts rattled in from at yesterday's second round in the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet, he kept up the pressure relentlessly.

At the end of a day that proved just as fascinating and interesting as we had all expected in spite of the terrible conditions, the South African had moved to 11 under thanks to a marvellous 64 and leads by two from Open champion Todd Hamilton and the very much in-form Miguel-Angel Jimenez. Tiger Woods is six under after a 70 while Padraig Harrington is on the same mark after a second 69.

They are among a group tied for 8th place. Five off the pace with 36 holes to go leaves Woods and Harrington in a pretty decent position although they are the first to acknowledge that he is unlikely to bridge the gap on those ahead of him if his putter remains as cold as it was yesterday.