Els digs deep to overcome cold putter at Wentworth

By Tony Jimenez

VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - Record six-times champion Ernie Els said he had to battle to overcome a cold putter during his 3 and 2 win over Swede Henrik Stenson in the 36-hole World Match Play semi-finals on Saturday.

The Wentworth resident took 18 putts on the front nine of the morning round before suddenly rediscovering his touch on the greens by single-putting six times on the inward half.

"I had to make some kind of a change," the 37-year-old South African told reporters after setting up a final with Argentina's Angel Cabrera, who defeated American Hunter Mahan 2 and 1.

"It was awful this morning on the greens, very frustrating. I felt I was hanging too far on my right side on address and I decided to lean on my left side and try to punch the ball."

The world number five was swift to serve notice of his intentions at the start of the afternoon round, drilling a four-iron to 12 feet and ramming in his putt for a birdie three at the first.

He later single-putted eight holes in a row to the 15th to dash Stenson's chances of adding the Wentworth crown to the WGC-Accenture Match Play title he lifted in Arizona in February.

"I'm a little drained at the moment," said Els. "I had to really dig deep the last couple of holes to makes those putts."

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