Ernie Els followed his opening 67 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a 3-under-par 33-36=69 to reach the midpoint in 8-under 136, four strokes adrift of the 36-hole clubhouse lead.
The Big Easy started today's round in The Big Easy on the 10th hole. He went out in bogey-free 3-under with notable birdies of 11'10" at 13 and 16'7" at 18, thus extending his bogey-free stretch to 27 holes to begin the tournament. Els would finally succumb to bogeys at 1, 3 and 5, the last of which a three-putt from 43'5". He offset them, however, with birdies at the par-5 second and seventh holes before securing his sixth sub-70 in as many rounds at TPC Louisiana with a birdie conversion measuring 13'8" at the par-3 ninth hole.

Ernie Els turned in a bogey-free, 5-under-par 34-33=67 for his opening round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, finishing three strokes off the clubhouse lead.
Els lost in a playoff last year in what was his debut at TPC Louisiana. He didn't sign for a round over 68, so he's clearly comfy in the bayou. He hit 14 greens today and circled five birdies. The set included conversions of 13'11" and 24'6" at the eighth and 16th holes, respectively.

Ernie Els completed his final round of the Masters with a 3-under-par 36-33=69 to end the week at 1-under 287.
The story of Els' week was his play on the par 5s. He finished the week at 15-under on Augusta National's longest holes with nine birdies and three eagles. He will now head east to Hilton Head, SC for the RBC Heritage.

Ernie Els signed for a 3-over-par 39-36=75 following his opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Back in play following a hip injury, Els didn't perform like he's feeling OK. The two-time winner at Bay Hill landed just nine greens in regulation en route to four bogeys and a double. He started his round at the 10th hole and promptly carded three consecutive bogeys. His only conversion over six feet was a par save from 13'9" at the fifth hole.

Ernie Els is listed in the published field of next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Els sat out of this week's stop in Tampa due to an injury to his right hip. He's a two-time champion at Bay Hill where he's made 18 starts. He also tied for fourth in last year's edition.

Ernie Els has been removed from the field for this week's Tampa Bay Championship.
The PGA TOUR's media department reported this. This is merely a formality after we relayed Golfweek.com's report on Sunday that Els was going to get treatment for an injured right hip flexor instead.

Ernie Els will not compete in this week's Tampa Bay Championship, according to a report at Golfweek.com.
Alex Miceli wrote that The Big Easy could not overcome a bothersome right hip flexor and has elected to recover instead. "It's been on and off for a while, and probably for about four or five months now," Els said. "I've been working out and trying to get fit and strong, but it's just kind of lingering. I've got to try and work it out. ... I've got to get this sorted. It's been bugging me for a while, and then it really went into spasm Thursday. I was like on the tee, almost gone." It's unknown when the big fella plans to return.

Ernie Els will see his first PGA TOUR action at the Northern Trust Open.
Els played three events in January on the European Tour, failing to crack a top 15. In eight starts at Riviera CC, Els has a win and has only failed to cash a check once. He tied for 59th last season, only breaking par in one round.