Els relieved to make cut at Indian Masters

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - South African world number four Ernie Els was relieved to make the cut at the Indian Masters on Friday after carding a two-under 70 in the second round.

Els, who struggled to a first round three-over 75, dropped a shot at the first which he said put him on the "back foot".

The triple major winner responded with an eagle on the eighth hole and two birdies on the back nine to pull back to one over with the cut made at three over par. Els is nine shots behind leader Damien McGrane.

"It was a tough day for me today, a tough day for scoring and I find it very difficult scoring on this golf course," he told reporters at Delhi Golf Club course.

"There was a little bit of a breeze today so it was difficult into the northwesterly."

Els said he loved the challenge offered by the course, built by the British in 1931 on land which was the burial ground of the 14th century Lodhi dynasty.

"It is such a great golf course because if you are off here, you are going to find out about it," he said. "I like that kind of golf.

"I haven't been too patient so far but hopefully I can be a bit more patient over the weekend."