Dunhill Championship Golf - Ernie Rules

Ernie Els looks to be in an ominously good position for the Dunhill Championship, after a flawless 67 left him just one shot off the pace. The world number three teed off before 7 am at Leopard Creek but the early start did nothing to affect his concentration as he blitzed his way around the sweltering Gary Player designed course. He is now 8/15 to win the event and so gets the defence of his Order of Merit off to the best possible start.The man ahead of Els is Zimbabwean Bruce MacDonald who was only a late invitee to the event, and can now be backed at 25/1 after an opening 66. In total, 33 players are under par, with Darren Fichardt the second favourite at 20/1. Fichardt opened with a 70 but has experience of winning European Tour events from the 2003 Qatar Masters and the 2001Sao Paulo Brazil Open.The bookies may have this down as a foregone conclusion for Els, but there remain 54 holes to go, and with later starting times for the next three rounds, the heat will be more of an issue.