Ernie Els wrestles away Sanford International lead with big round

Field Level Media|published: Sat 13th September, 19:08 2025

Ernie Els of South Africa sends his ball down the No. 3 fairway during the first round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.

South Africa's Ernie Els was an impressive 7-under-par 63 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead at the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The 55-year-old teed things off with a birdie on his opening hole, then hit three in a row on Holes 5-7. The last half of his round featured additional birdies on the 10th, 12th and 15th as he went bogey-free in surging ahead of closest pursuer Retief Goosen.

His fellow countryman Goosen had higher highs and lower lows, and he did it on back-to-back holes. Following a bogey on the par-4 11th, Goosen rallied immediately for three-stroke eagle on the par-5 12th.

Goosen also had four birdies to get to 5 under on the day and 10 under for the tournament.

Sitting at third at 9 under is Bo Van Pelt, who like Goosen shot a 5-under 65 on Saturday. Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez was also 5 under and sits alone in fourth at 8 under for the tourney.

Tied in fifth four shots behind Els are Demark's Soren Kjeldsen (65) and Argentina's Angel Cabrera (69). Cabrera had posted a bogey-free, 6-under 64 to take the Friday lead.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke (64) is alone in seventh. Americans Tag Ridings (65) and Boo Weekley (68) are tied for eight.

--Field Level Media

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