Els races into three-stroke lead
Ernie Els has raced into a three-stroke lead in the second round of the Open at Muirfield.
The quality of Ernie Els second round performance can be judged by his failure to make birdies at the short fourth and seventh holes.
They were the only two of the opening eight holes where he was not under par.
This run put him into the championship lead on his own at eight under.
Irish veteran Des Smyth had held the leading position, but he dropped a shot at the 11th at the same moment that Els was holing a putt from well short of the green at the sixth.
