BETHESDA, Md. — Ernie Els looks ready to contend for a different type of major championship at Congressional.
Back at the course where he won the U.S. Open in 1997, Els shot a 3-under 69 on Thursday to finish two strokes off the lead after the first round of the Senior PGA Championship. Els is one of a trio of South Africans near the top, along with Keith Horne and Darren Fichardt.
Cameron Percy of Australia shot 67 to take sole possession of the lead, one stroke ahead of Horne. Fichardt and Els were tied for third, along with Simon Khan and Mario Tiziani.