Dubai, Mar 08: Ernie Els made an uncharacteristic error at the last but stayed on track for his fifth title of the year on Friday (March 7), firing a four-under-par 68 in the Dubai Desert Classic's second round. The defending champion was one ahead of the field playing the par-five 18th but hit his four-iron approach into the water guarding the green to run up his first bogey of the tournament. That dropped the big-hitting South African back into a four-way tie for the lead at 10-under 134, alongside Finland's Mikko Ilonen, Englishman David Lynn and overnight leader Alastair Forsyth of Scotland. Els has won four times in six starts this year, plus one second place. He also won his final event of last year, the Sun City Challenge. Ilonen, British amateur champion in 2000, had been clear of the field at 11 under but dropped a shot at the last and had to settle for a 67 at the Emirates Golf Club.


The Finn was caught by the fast-finishing Lynn, who eagled the 10th and 18th on his way to a six-under-par 66.


One stroke back in a share of fifth were former winner Thomas Bjorn and 1991 U.S. Masters champion Ian Woosnam. Bjorn, who carded an opening 69, reeled off six birdies for a 66, a score matched by playing partner Woosnam after a birdie-birdie finish.


The 32-year-old Bjorn was delighted with his performance, having linked up this week with Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout in a bid to develop greater mental strength.


Bjorn tied for second at the British Open and placed third in the U.S.PGA championship three years ago and clinched his sixth European Tour title at 2001 Dubai Desert Classic.


The Dane, who held off the challenge of world number one Tiger Woods that year, played with Woosnam on Friday and helped the Welshman generate greater distance off the tee by lending him a driver.


Woosnam, who ran up a fortuitous birdie at the 547-yard 18th after hooking his second shot on to a hospitality tent next to the green, was thankful for the Dane's generosity.


Leading scores after the second round of the $1.92 million Dubai Desert Classic at the par-72 Emirates Golf Club on Friday (British unless stated): 134 Mikko Ilonen (Finland) 67 67, David Lynn 68 66, Ernie Els (South Africa) 66 68, Alastair Forsyth 65 69 135 Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 69 66, Ian Woosnam 69 66 136 Ian Garbutt 73 63, Sven Struver (Germany) 67 69, Greg Owen 67 69, Nick Dougherty 67 69 137 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 68 69, Kevin Na (South Korea) 68 69 138 Jamie Donaldson 67 71, Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 70 68, Phillip Price 71 67, Ian Poulter 68 70, Tobias Dier (Germany) 69 69, Mikael Lundberg (Sweden) 69 69, Shingo Katayama (Japan) 70 68 139 Stephen Gallacher 69 70, Mark Foster 73 66, Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands) 67 72, Jonathan Lomas 69 70, Darren Clarke 70 69, Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 71 68, Richard Bland 72 67 140 David Park 71 69, Jamie Elson 72 68, John Bickerton 69 71, Gary Orr 71 69, Maarten Lafeber (Netherlands) 71 69, Brian Davis 68 72, Henrik Nystrom (Sweden) 70 70, Mark O'Meara (U.S.) 68 72, Rolf Muntz (Netherlands) 73 67, Roger Wessels (South Africa) 68 72


Bureau Report