While the leaders were going low, Ernie Els had a very solid start to the PGA Tour Champions’ Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, as he carded a three-under-par 68 to be four off the pace.

Els made five birdies and two bogeys in his opening round of the tournament, shortened this year to 54 holes. Paul Goydos and Brandt Jobe shared the lead at seven-under after their matching 64s, giving them a one-stroke lead over Mark Brooks, KJ Choi and Kevin Sutherland.

Els was long off the tee, averaging 297 yards, but hitting only 50 percent of the fairways. He was much better when it came to greens in regulation, hitting those 83.33 percent of the time.

Retief Goosen was ay one-under after the opening round, while David Frost was level-par.