Els back in contention as Atwal leads Asian hopes on borrowed driver
World number three Ernie Els fought back with a three-under-par 69 in the Qatar Masters yesterday but trails halfway leader Richard Green of Australia by seven shots heading into the weekend.
After opening with a sluggish 73, the big South African quelled fears of an early exit from the US$1.5 million event with a battling round that included five birdies at Doha Golf Club.
Green shot a sparkling 68 to lead on nine-under-par 135, one ahead of Swedish duo Pierre Fulke, the overnight leader who returned a 70 and Robert Karlsson who fired a bogey-free 67.
For a man who had booked an early flight home in anticipation of missing the cut, Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant was certainly flying high with a 68 for fourth place, two behind the leader.
India's Arjun Atwal moved into prime position with a 69 that left him four off the pace despite playing with a borrowed driver and a brand new putter after his two favourite clubs went missing.
Els was in danger of missing his first cut in six years on the European Tour after his poor start. But he showed his class.