Els, who overhauled local favourite Lam Chih Bing for the lead after the first round, said the conditions suited him and playing 22 holes on Friday did not overly tax him. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A RESURGENT Ernie Els stormed into contention with a hard-fought 70 for a share of the lead alongside England's Simon Dyson on another weather-marred day at the Singapore Open on Friday.
It was a long slog for the big South African who had to come out at daybreak to finish four holes from his first round, after being forced off the fairways by bad light on Thursday.
Organisers lament Poulter pullout
Organisers of golf's Singapore Open voiced their dismay on Thursday at British Open runner-up Ian Poulter's decision to withdraw on the eve of the $5 million event.
Flamboyant Englishman Poulter pulled out on Wednesday after being unable to replace a driver he had stolen at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, which ended on Monday.
He wasted no time in sinking two birdies to take the outright first round lead before teeing off again almost immediately for round two, where he mixed three birdies and two bogeys to be on six-under-par 136 going into the weekend.
He shares the lead with Dyson, who stroked a majestic four-under-par 67.
Both players completed their rounds shortly before play was halted at 2.38pm as lightning lit up the sky. Torrential rain followed with the players returning for an hour at the end of the day.
Seventy-eight players have yet to finish their rounds.
Chasing hot on the heels of Els and Dyson two adrift after 18 holes were Northern Ireland's teenage sensation Rory McIlroy, the youngest player to secure at European Tour card, and Thailand's Chapchai Nirat.
Overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore was also on four-under for the tournament but only managed to complete five holes.
Ireland's three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington was even par for his round after six holes to lag seven behind while world number three Phil Mickelson was two over for the tournament after seven holes.
Two-time champion Adam Scott, who beat Els in a play-off here in 2006, lagged 11 behind Els and Dyson after six holes.
South Africa's David Frost was disqualified after failing to turn up for the resumption of play after the rain break. -- AFP
