Sandwich, July 20: Ernie Els and Tiger Woods loomed into contention in the British Open second round yesterday, setting up the prospect of the world`s top two golfers going head-to-head over the closing holes on Sunday. Els fired a best-of-the-day 68 and Woods carded a one-over-par 72, but pacesetter Davis Love III was the only player in the 152-strong field to complete the 36 holes in better than par.
Love, the 1997 U.S. PGA champion, followed his opening 69 with a 72, ending a sun-drenched day at Royal St George`s on one-under 141, four ahead of Woods and five clear of Els.
Denmark`s Ryder Cup player Thomas Bjorn, who returned A 70, was two strokes behind Love in a tie for second with South Korea`s Sk Ho. Bureau Report