ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- Ernie Els opened a 3-stroke lead Saturday in the Dick's Sporting Goods Open, reeling off five straight birdies on the front nine in a 7-under 65.
Els birdied Nos. 2-6 at windy and rainy En-Joie Golf Club, added another on the par-4 ninth, made eight straight pars and closed the bogey-free round with a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th to get to 11-under 133.
"I hit a lot of greens and when I hit the greens, I made some putts, so that was a good key for me," Els said.