No belly laughs from Els

Ernie Els has called for belly putters to be banned – on the day that recent convert South African Trevor Immelman took the lead in the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany.

Immelman, who made the switch to a long putter at the British Masters two weeks ago, fired a seven under par 65 at Heidelberg’s St Leon-Rot to be one ahead of a group that included Jose Maria Olazabal and Canada-based Scot Alan McLean.

World number three Els tucked in just two behind with his 67, then said: “I think the belly putter should be banned. I think nerves and the skill of putting is part of the game. Take a tablet if you can’t handle it.

“It’s easier when you push it into your body. It’s resting against something.

“I’ve never had one in my hands. I will not say ’never’ (for the future), but it does not feel right to me.

“Is it a proper stroke? We could have an argument there, but you will more often make a better stroke with a long putter.

“I’ve not given up hope that it will be banned during my career. I think the R&A (Royal and Ancient Club) and USGA (United States Golf Association) are looking at it.”

World number two Vijay Singh uses a belly putter, as do Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood, while Sam Torrance is among the high-profile players who have used an even longer broomhandle putter which is anchored under the chin.

Immelman, who threatened to smash the course record when he played his first nine holes in six under, said: “I was inspired by watching Vijay and started messing around with the belly putter.

“I thought I would just give it a try and it felt great. I didn’t have the yips. I just felt it was a technical thing for me. I felt like I needed to be able to release it better to become a more consistent putter.

“With it anchored in your stomach the thing has to swing like a pendulum, so it has to just release naturally.

“Lee Westwood said: ‘If you can get over the first time you go out on the course with it then you’ll be fine’. Nick Price gave me a couple of great tips and Sandy Lyle helped as well.

“Because the putter is so heavy you just take it back far enough and it just swings through for you.”

Olazabal and McLean shared second spot with Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and France’s Gregory Havret, but Nick Faldo, wearing glasses in a bid to avoid a third successive missed cut, struggled again with a 75.

Alongside him was Justin Rose after a triple bogey eight on the first, his 10th. He hit his second shot out of bounds and his next two were not far from hitting the road as well.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Westwood and Montgomerie - 50th in the world and needing to stay in the top 50 this week to qualify for the Open at his home club Royal Troon in July – were among the later starters.

Montgomerie, who lost a play-off to Tiger Woods on the course two years ago, birdied the first and eagled the third. Harrington birdied the same two holes and Clarke began with two birdies, but Westwood had to be content with two pars.