Ernie Els is hoping to add his name to a select group of players to have won both The Open Championship and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The South African, a two-time winner of The Open in 2002 and 2012, is looking to become just the fifth player in golf history to lift both the Senior Open trophy and the Claret Jug.
Through his opening two rounds over Sunningdale’s Old Course, Els sits at six under – one shot adrift of the clubhouse lead - after a pair of 67s.
Victory over the weekend would see him emulate Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke, who was the most recent of the quartet to achieve the feat at Gleneagles in 2022.
"That's a hell of a group of players to join if you can," he said.
"This is one of my favourite courses in the world. I've got half a chance.
"Just got to step it up a little bit over the weekend.
"I think it's going to be a tight finish. A lot of people in play over the weekend. So hope for the best."
A former World Number One and four-time Major Champion prior to joining the 50 and over ranks, Els made his Senior Open debut at Sunningdale in 2021, finishing in a share of eighth.
A former World Number One and four-time Major Champion prior to joining the 50 and over ranks, Els made his Senior Open debut at Sunningdale, finishing in a share of eighth.
A resident at nearby Wentworth, ISPS HANDA ambassador Els mixed five birdies with two bogeys on Friday but, despite being happy with his position on the leaderboard, felt he missed opportunities down the stretch to pick up further shots.
“I have got to take the score, you know,” said Els, whose sole Senior Major victory to date came at the Kaulig Companies Championship last year.
“I played good this morning and then I didn't play so good this afternoon, you know, coming in. A lot of scoreable holes that I didn't take advantage of.
“I'm in the mix. Somebody is probably going to get to ten under. There is still a lot of golf to be played.”
