Ernie Els was delighted with his return to form, after Friday’s 70 at the Maybank Championship kept him in contention for a first European Tour victory since the 2013 BMW International Open.
The Big Easy sits just two shots behind halfway leader Thomas Pieters after carding four birdies and two bogeys in tricky scoring conditions at Saujana Golf and Country Club.
– Dean Burmester has matched Els’ scoring and sits in a share of fourth with Els and five others
The four-time Major Champion treated the locals to a short game masterclass out on course, draining a monster putt on the 14th green and almost holing from an unlikely spot at the 16th.
– The round of the day belonged to South Africa’s Darren Fichardt, who rose 115 places after his 65 saw him move into a share of 22nd place
And he is pleased to be playing well. He said: ‘It’s so good to be hot, you try to enjoy it.
‘I think scoring conditions are a bit tougher than last year. I’ve never played here before, but from what I’ve heard the guys usually make a lot of birdies.
‘With the new greens the ball is releasing a bit and I kind of like that.
‘The last four years have been a real struggle, so I’m really happy that I’m playing good golf again. My body feels good and the ball striking is there now.
‘On the greens I’m starting to feel really comfortable, so that means I can have a chance again to play with these guys.
‘That’s what I want, to feel like I can have a chance playing Saturdays and Sundays and that’s kind of my goal.
‘Shubhankar (Sharma) showed that last year, coming out of the pack and winning.
‘It’s a course that can really give you birdies, but also take them away if you’re not playing sensibly.’
Erik van Rooyen and Louis De Jager are two back of Els and Burmester in a share of 17th at -4 in a week where 10 of 12 South Africans advanced to the last two rounds.
