Els looking to break free

Ernie Els was today hoping to break out of the log-jam at the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Dunhill Championship.

Els carded a first-round 68 at Houghton Golf Club yesterday, but that was only good enough for a share of 10th place with nine other players.

No fewer than 17 players ended the day within two shots of the lead held by Ireland’s Paul McGinley and Wales’ Stephen Dodd on six under, with seven players one shot behind the leaders.

‘‘It wasn’t a bad start but I can’t say I’m over-satisfied with my round,’’ Els said.

‘‘I had a lot of chances but didn’t quite seem to make them. I was trying to get to at least six-under but it’s not a bad start and the rust is coming out.’’

McGinley was also successfully shaking off the rust accumulated over a six-week break over the winter and carded six birdies and no bogeys in a flawless round.

‘‘I’m surprised but pleased,’’ McGinley said. ‘‘I scored well but did not play particularly well and that’s what surprised me, the way I was able to get it round.

‘‘The rough is patchy and you can be lucky or unlucky. Tim (Clark) and I both hit it up the right on the ninth on the same line, he had a horrendous lie and I was perfect.

‘‘I got a few good breaks, I always seemed to have a shot out of the rough, and overall I’m very pleased.

‘‘I needed a break. Last year took a lot out of me. I was really tired, not physically but mentally. I needed to get away from the game and that’s what I did. I’ve always worked hard in the winter whereas this year I didn’t, apart from the gym.’’

Dodd’s main goal is simply to keep his card again for next season and the €100,000 winners’ cheque on Sunday would go a long way to help him doing just that.

Working with psychologist Tara Edwards over the past two seasons has been of major benefit and the former British amateur champion said: ‘‘I’m enjoying my golf more now than I have been because I’m playing better.

‘‘Tara has been a big help. I tried it before with someone else and it didn’t work but decided to give it a go and it seems to be working.’’

At the other end of the field, former football star Roy Wegerle found himself joint 132nd of the 156-man field, but was not too unhappy with a highly-creditable first-round 76.

‘‘I didn’t disgrace the football community did I!’’ joked Wegerle, who qualified to play in the tournament on Tuesday after getting down to a plus three handicap in three years since retiring from football after playing in the 1998 World Cup finals.