Bjorn lets Els off the hook

Ernie Els held a three-hole lead over Thomas Bjorn at the halfway stage of their 36 holes in the HSBC World Match Play final at Wentworth today.

Seeking the £1m (€1.67m) first prize – the second biggest in golf – and a record-equalling fifth title, the South African took four of the first eight holes, two with birdies and two with pars as Bjorn three-putted from only eight feet at the fifth and hit a six-iron into sand on the eighth.