foxsports
Veteran South African Ernie Els used his knowledge of a course he helped redesign to upstage exasperated playing partner Rory McIlroy and take a share of the lead at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday.
While the top-ranked McIlroy lost his temper during a 2-over 74 in his first round in Europe in seven months - throwing his club to the ground in despair at one point - Els made six birdies to join three others in shooting a 68.
Compatriot George Coetzee, Marc Warren of Scotland and Robert Rock of England are level with Els, who was criticized for making the course too tough after redesigning it in 2010.
Third-ranked Lee Westwood shot 2 under to lie two strokes off the pace midway through the opening day.
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