Golf: Sabbatini sets early nissan pace, Els faces cut wait

PACIFIC PALISADES, California - Ernie Els battled to make the halfway cut as fellow South African Rory Sabbatini set the early pace in the Nissan Open second round.

Sabbatini, lifted by five birdies in a row, fired a sparkling six-under-par 65 in sunny but cold conditions at Riviera Country Club, finishing at 10-under 132.

US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman returned a 70 to lie alone in second place at five under with South Korea's K.J. Choi a further stroke back in a tie for third after carding a second successive 69.

Level with Choi were Americans Brian Gay (67) and Paul Stankowski (68), who mixed an eagle-three at the par-five first with a birdie and 16 pars.

World number four Els, who has not missed a PGA Tour cut since the 2004 Bay Hill Invitational, dropped three shots in his first three holes on the way to an erratic 72.

That left the 1999 champion at level-par 142, right on the tournament's projected cut-line for the leading 70 players and ties.

Suffering from a cold, Els slipped to three over for the tournament after collecting his second bogey of the day at the par-four seventh but recovered with birdies at the 10th, 11th and par-five 17th.

"It's always nice to be back at Riviera but I just wish I could have played a little bit better," the three-times major winner told reporters.

"It was a little ugly out there and my iron play let me down but I fought back.

"I'm not trying to keep my cut streak alive," added Els, who has made 24 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour. "I'm simply trying to get back into the tournament. Making it to the weekend gives you half a chance."

Out of action for four months at the end of last year after twisting his knee on a family sailing holiday in the Mediterranean, Els is making his first PGA Tour appearance since the 2005 US Open.

The smooth-swinging South African was edged out by Tiger Woods in a playoff for the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago in his most recent start.

Sabbatini, following a much more hectic early-season schedule, is playing his sixth PGA Tour event in seven weeks.

He has been in prime form with five top-20 finishes, included two runner-up places, and put himself in contention for a third PGA Tour title with his second-round performance.

"I've been playing nicely, managing to get the ball close to the hole and making the most of my opportunities," said the Texas-based professional.

"You have to be very precise out here at Riviera and I think the most noticeable difference in my game this year has been that my course management has been a lot better.

"When I miss shots, I've been able to keep myself in play."

Joint overnight leaders Justin Rose of Britain and American Dean Wilson, after matching 64s, were among the day's late starters.

So, too, was world number Tiger Woods who battled against flu for a 69 in Thursday's opening round.

The 10-times major winner improved to three under after picking up his first shot of the day at the par-four 12th, his third hole.

- REUTERS