Els surges into contention

South African Ernie Els charged into contention with a brilliant six under par 65 to trail halfway leader Siddikur of Bangladesh by one shot at the Venetian Macau Open on Friday.

The four-time Major Champion carded nine birdies against three bogeys at the Macau Golf and Country Club for a six under par halfway total.

Siddikur was equally impressive in his round of 66 which included three birdies over his closing four holes as he edged ahead of the chasing pack with his 135 total as he continued to search for a second Asian Tour victory.

Els effortlessly moved up the leaderboard but he was disappointed to miss a two foot birdie chance at the last hole which would have tied Siddikur for the lead.

“The one little putt I missed at the last will sting a little bit,” he said. “I was looking at the board and it would have been perfect if I could have been seven under to be in the last group. I played really nice. I actually made some good putts and hit the ball nicely.”