GOLF/European Tour: Ernie Els has had a simply smashing start to the season - smashing as in smashing the ball huge distances, reducing golf courses the world over to mere trifles - and yesterday he was at it again.
Attempting to win his fifth tournament in six, he took a one-stroke lead in the Johnnie Walker Classic here at Lake Karrinyup after an eight-under-par 64.
In second placed is England's David Lynn after a fine 65 with Terry Price, who booked his place on the 2003 European Tour through the Qualifying School in northern Spain last November, third on 66.
Five players shared fourth spot after opening 67s, Ireland's Paul McGinley, the Australian trio of Chris Downes, Peter O'Malley and Brett Rumford and Welshman Ian Woosnam, playing his first competitive round of golf since the World Cup last December.
McGinley, who shot eight birdies in his five under 67, was out of the blocks fast with birdies at the first and second but was back to level par after dropping shots at the third and fifth. However, birdies at the sixth, seventh and ninth took him to the turn in three-under-par 33.
Three more birdies at the 10th, 11th and 18th to one droped shot at the 16th took him home in 34 for his 67 to be just three off the pace set by Els.
When he was eight under after 10 holes Els admitted he had a few "silly thoughts" about a 59. But the thought was father of the failure. He bogeyed the next hole and in the end did not even break the course record, a 63, set by Retief Goosen last year.
But the fact that he leads again will have had its effect on the field. They are mostly in awe of the man who is now 79 under par for the 17 rounds he has played in 2003.
There is a straightforward reason for his supremacy: he is hitting the ball further than some people go on their holidays. Yesterday, at the two holes used to measure driving distance, he averaged 315 yards, which, on a course that has been made soft by heavy watering, is immense.
None of the other competitors could get near him. Adam Scott was the closest, but Justin Rose was fifth best on 291 yards and Nick Faldo, who has never punched his weight in this department, was averaging 275 yards, giving up 40 yards to Els.
The South African changed equipment manufacturer during the close season, and now uses a Titleist driver and a ball that all the pros lust after, the Titleist Pro V1*. But when asked what it was about the "magic driver", Els bridled at the suggestion.
"There's nothing magic about it," he said. "It's a standard large-faced driver in the hands of a big, strong, young man."
Elsewhere, there was not such a spectacular start for defending champion Goosen, who opened with a level par 72 while one of the pre-tournament favourites, Sergio Garcia, shrugged off his leg injury to play, but struggled to make an impact and finished with a two-over-par 74.
Guardian Service
