Els bids for improvement

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Els, winner at Muirfield in 2002 and runner-up at Troon in 2004, could only manage an opening 72 to lie seven shots behind overnight leader Sergio Garcia.

A par on the first this morning kept Els at one over par, while Argentina's Andres Romero was demonstrating that the front nine was again the best place to make a score. Birdies at the first, third and fourth lifted Romero to two under par and into a share of eighth place.

England's Paul Broadhurst, joint holder of the lowest-ever round in a major with his 63 in the 1990 Open at St Andrews, had improved to one under after a birdie on the third.

Garcia was due out at 9.31am but Ireland's Paul McGinley, second overnight after a 67, had to wait until 3.15pm to resume his challenge for a first major title.