Els clings to lead as storms stop Arnold Palmer play

Ernie Els survived a couple of shaky holes and was clinging to the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday when thunderstorms stopped play.

The South African veteran had a five-shot lead with six holes to play and appeared headed toward a second victory in as many starts when he hit into the water at 13 and took double-bogey.

He bogeyed the next from a bunker, but still led Kevin Na by two strokes when the final round was suspended.

Els was 11-under through 14 holes and Na was nine-under, having reached the front of the 15th green in two.

A group of players a further stroke back included 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis and Chris Couch - who were playing with Els - and Retief Goosen, who was on the 18th tee.

Els, 40, ended a two-year victory drought with his four-shot triumph at the CA Championship at Doral two weeks ago.

Now he is vying to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 to win two events on the US tour's Florida Swing.

Els opened the round with a one-shot lead and drained a 12-foot birdie putt at the fifth. He birdied the par-five sixth after reaching the fringe in two shots.

After a bogey at eight, Els found the right rough off the ninth tee and put his approach short. However, he pitched in for birdie to keep his lead at two strokes. He added birdies at 10 and 12 before his miscues at 13 and 14.

ORLANDO, Florida, Wednesday AFP