Els gets practice in after frustrating round

Ernie Els could not wait to get to work on the practice putting green despite remaining in contention for a second Open title in three years.

The South African superstar, known as ‘the Big Easy’, said he felt “frustrated” after shooting a second-consecutive two-under-par 69.

“I guess I am pretty happy as I played some good holes and got away with a good score,” said Els.

“Shooting 69 in a Major is a good score but I feel a little frustrated because I think I left some shots out there.

“I can’t be too hard on myself because I am four under par, which is three behind the leader, and hopefully I can make that up over the weekend, but I would love to make some more putts – you’ll see a smile on my face then.

“It is not the greens, they are great, it is me, I am not quite comfortable with the putter this week.

“I am making some good short ones but the scoring ones I am missing and that’s a little frustrating – I am heading to the practice green to try and sort it out.”

Els felt shades of Shinnecock Hills – where he was on fire until the wheels came off in the final round of the US Open – in practice before his round which made him push for a good score, and he suggested that might have been his problem.

He added: “I felt good today and my warm-up was really good. I started to hit the ball the way I did at Shinnecock and felt today was the day for me to go lower.

“Maybe that’s why I tried to push a little bit on the front nine and when I missed the putts I got frustrated with myself and took that into the back nine.

“All in all 69 is not bad but I felt I could have done a bit better today. At least I have put myself in contention.”