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Not so hard for 'Big Easy' after kidney stone worries

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Ernie Els of South Africa watches his tee shot on the first hole during the first round of the British …

(Reuters) - Ernie Els put behind him a fear over potential kidney stones and the disadvantage of no pre-tournament practice rounds this week as he surged into contention for the Quicken Loans National in Virginia on Thursday.

The big South African, who has struggled for consistency on the 2014-15 PGA Tour, fired a seven-under-par 64 on a rain-softened layout at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville to end the opening round just one stroke off the lead.