DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Twenty-five years after winning for the first time at the Dubai Desert Classic, Ernie Els is having another run at the title.
The Big Easy, however, will have to overtake a player almost half his age to get back in the winner’s circle.
Els, 49, made seven birdies and an eagle in a 7-under 65 to move within a stroke of the lead after two rounds of an event he has won three times, first in 1994. That was the first of his 28 European Tour titles.
One of the two players above him on the leaderboard is Bryson DeChambeau, the 25-year-old American seeking his first victory overseas. DeChambeau shot a second straight 66 and shared the lead with Lucas Herbert of Australia (63) at 12-under 132 at Emirates Golf Club.
Els has not won since 2013, and if he is going to end that title drought, it’s more likely to be at the Dubai Desert Classic than anywhere else. In his first 11 starts in the event, he didn’t finish outside the top eight and had three victories, three runner-up finishes and three third places.
“I like this place, as you know,” Els said. “I’ve had some really great times here. I’m swinging well, my body feels well. Just going on the memory bank, I guess.”
Els played his first two rounds alongside two more stalwarts of the European Tour, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal.
“We’ve done a lot in the game, and we had a good couple of chats, and I found my form,” Els said. “You’ve got to love it.”
DeChambeau described his first-round 66 as “scrappy” and he still wasn’t happy a day later despite moving into first place.
“Unfortunately I didn’t have the right sensations,” said the American, who at No. 5 is the highest-ranked player in the field. “I just felt uncomfortable. Consequently I’m not ballstriking at my best. But hey, I’m not complaining one bit.”
Herbert matched his career-best round of 63, which he shot at both the Portugal Masters and the Sicilian Open last season. Starting at No. 10, he opened eagle-birdie-birdie and was 7 under after 11 holes.
“It just felt like I was cruising,” said Herbert, who has yet to win on the European Tour. “I probably left some out there, to be honest.”
Alvaro Quiros (64) was tied with Els at 11 under, with defending champion Li Haotong (67) a further shot back in a five-man group including Matt Wallace (64).
First-round leader Matthew Fitzpatrick (70) was at 9 under.
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