THOMASTOWN, Ireland, 2 October 2004 — World No. 3 Ernie Els fired a sparkling eight-under-par 64 to move two shots clear in the WGC-American Express Championship second round yesterday.

The three-times major winner, who carded an opening 69, mixed nine birdies with a bogey to finish on 11-under 133 at a rain-sodden Mount Juliet. Alone in second place was overnight leader Todd Hamilton of the United States, with seven holes to play.

Americans Justin Leonard and Steve Flesch and Britain’s Lee Westwood were tied for third at eight under. Leonard had completed 16 holes, Westwood 15 and Flesch 12.

Champion Tiger Woods, who injured his shoulder last week after sleeping awkwardly on a flight to Orlando, was two under for the day after 16 holes and among a group of seven bunched at six under for the tournament.

Also level with Woods was fellow American Brad Faxon, who holed out from 190 yards for an eagle at the par-four seventh on his way to a 68.

Earlier, former US Masters champion Fred Couples made the first significant move of the day, surging up the leaderboard with a five-under-par 67. The 44-year-old American, who opened with a 73, reeled off six birdies and a solitary bogey to finish at four-under 140.

Aussie Senden Soars Into Share of PGA Lead

In Madison, Mississippi, Australian John Senden began and ended the back nine with eagles on his way to a seven-under par 65 here Thursday to share the lead after the opening round of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic. Senden took a double bogey at the second hole, then birdied five of the next six holes to recover. After an eagle at the par-4 10th, Senden took a bogey at 11 and a birdie at the 16th before finishing with an eagle to share the lead. Senden has 14 eagles this year, matching him with compatriot Geoff Ogilvy and American John Daly for second on the US PGA Tour, three behind pace-setter and US tour money leader Vijay Singh of Fiji.

South Africans Deane and Brenden Pappas, each a runner-up in this event, shared fourth at 66 along with Americans Bill Glasson, Loren Roberts, David Sutherland and Patrick Sheehan.

Myanmar Take Halfway Lead

In Senai, Malaysia, Myanmar took control of the World Cup Qualifier here yesterday after an impressive three-under-par 69 in the second-round foursomes. Veteran Kyi Hla Han and Soe Kyaw Naing combined effectively at Palm Resort Golf and Country Club to lead by one stroke from Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih and Wang Ter-chang, who returned a 71 that included a triple bogey.

Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit and Thaworn Wiratchant bogeyed their last hole for a 72 and third place, four behind the leaders. The alternate shot format saw host Malaysia fare badly, as overnight leaders Danny Chia and R. Nachimuthu stumbled to a 77 for equal fourth place with Pakistan.

Korea and India shared sixth place after matching rounds of 74s while Switzerland were eighth after a 75. Myanmar’s Han, a veteran of four World Cup appearances, and Soe kept away from trouble throughout their round and birdied the first, fourth, 12th and 16th holes.