Ernie Els believes he is finally close to rediscovering his form after a last-gasp salvage operation rescued his challenge for a third Scottish Open title at Loch Lomond on Friday.
Els appeared to be heading for an early exit from an event he won in 2000 and 2003 when he struggled to the turn in two over par, leaving him at one over for the tournament. That was unlikely to have been enough to beat the halfway cut and Els knew he needed something special coming home. It came in the form of a majestic five-wood into the green at the 518-yard 3rd hole - the 12th for Els who had started on the tenth.
His ball came to rest ten feet from the pin, the putt was holed and the South African went on to pick up further birdies at the short 5th and the 9th, his closing hole, to send him into the weekend in buoyant mood. "That eagle was a big turning point," he said. "I was a little out of sorts on my front nine and I needed something on the back nine or else it was a bit too close to the cut.
"Now I'm aiming at getting some good scores at the weekend. I'd love to get into the mix on Sunday and feel the pressure of having to hit the shots when it really matters."
Els, who has slipped to eighth in the world rankings after nearly five months on the sidelines last season as a result of knee surgery, has been working with swing guru David Leadbetter in an effort to rediscover the effortless rhythm that earned him his nickname, the Big Easy.
BRITISH OPEN WINNERS AT ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB:
HOYLAKE: Previous winners of the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake:

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1897 - Harold Hilton (ENG) -    Total 314 -        Second amateur to win Open
1902 - Sandy  Herd (SCO)   -    Total 307 -       Used new rubber coared ball
1907 - Arnaud Massy (FRA)  -    Total 312 -     First overseas winner of Open
1913 - J.H. Taylor (ENG)   -    Total 304 -                    Fifth Open win
1924 - Walter Hagen (USA)  -    Total 301 -                   Second Open win
1930 - Bobby Jones (USA)   -    Total 291 -     Second leg of 1930 Grand Slam
1936 - Alf Padgham (ENG)   -    Total 287 -    Beat Jimmy Adams by one stroke
1947 - Fred Daly (NIR)     -    Total 293 -       First Ulsterman to win Open
1956 - Peter Thomson (AUS) -    Total 286 -   First hat-trick in 20th century
1967 - Roberto de Vicenzo (ARG) Total 278 - First South American to win Open.
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