Els still in the hunt

Ernie Els is proud to be a South African but when they Ryder Cup comes around later this month he must feel a tinge of envy that he cannot take part in golf’s ultimate team showdown.

But to help soften that loss the world’s top-three player will be aiming to make history of his own over this weekend in the stunning setting of the Swiss mountains.

His bid to emulate the feat of Seve Ballesteros over a quarter of a century ago by retaining the Omega European Masters title took some time to get off the ground.

But a sudden rejuvenation yesterday after an opening round of 69 saw his name ominously appear on the leaderboard by the close of play at six-under-par.

He is due to go out later this morning and just three groups ahead of red-hot Spanish pair and tournament leaders Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Garcia holds a one-shot lead over his compatriot but they will be looking over their shoulder at the reigning champion and former king of the mountains Eduardo Romero, who is four shots off the pace and just one ahead of the brilliant Els.

His Argentinian countryman from Cesar Monasterio was one of those early starters to make a move of their own this morning with four birdies and despite dropping a shot at the eighth he turned at three under par for the tournament.

But Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin and England trio Paul Broadhurst, Matthew Blackley and Jamie Spence were a further shot ahead on four under after birdies at the first.