'Big Easy' off to Good Start at South African Open


Four-time major champion Ernie Els finds himself only a stroke behind Jbe Kruger and Andy Sullivan after Day 1 of the South African Open. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg.

Els posted a 5-under 67 to trail fellow South African Kruger and England's Sullivan. Play was halted in the late afternoon because of the threat of lightning. Though play eventually resumed, several in the field will return Friday morning and complete their rounds.

The 45-year-old Els is seeking for his first victory the BMW International Open in June 2013. The player with the languid, powerful swing and nickname "Big Easy" carded six birdies and a bogey at the course in his hometown of Ekurhuleni.

The World Golf Hall of Fame member, who has won 67 titles worldwide, was pleased with his opening effort. "That was nice," he told the European Tour's website. "I was a little nervous here and there but it was so nice to play Glendower in front of my home crowd."

The local favorite said he was especially satisfied with his iron play. "I have been working on that a little bit, taking a little distance off and trying not to hit them too hard," he said. "Coming off the fairway they were coming out nice and crisp so I enjoyed my iron shots today."

The five-time champion of the tournament is now looking forward to the next three days. "We have had a nice start now and I want to keep it up, get better on the greens a little more and see where we end up."

Kruger put together a spotless six-birdie round, while Sullivan overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole with six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 15th.

Defending champion Morten Orum Madsen has some work to do to make the 36-hole cut. The 26-year-old Dane opened with a 1-over 73.

Other scores include a 68 by 2011 Masters' champion Charl Schwartzel and a 69 by former European Ryder Cup member Edoardo Molinari of Italy.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015000/leaderboard/index.html.