It was a commanding performance by Ermie Els on Friday as he took the lead with a seven-under 65 in the second round of the PGA Tour Champions Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Golf Course in Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii.

Els and Alex Cejka share the lead entering the final round with Australian Rod Pampling lurking dangerously three behind.

Also in contention is evergreen German veteran Bernhard Langer who is trying to make more PGA Tour Champions history. Langer, 67, sits two shots off the lead at 10-under-par 134 after shooting the best round of the day, a nine-under 63.

Els carded a 65 while Germany’s Cejka posted a 66, leaving them at 12-under 132 in the 54-hole, season-opening event. The tournament features a limited field of 42 players.

Els highlighted his bogey-free round with three consecutive birdies from 14 to 16. “Obviously hit the ball nicely, kept it in play and gave myself a lot of chances, opportunities,” said Els, who won three Champions Tour events last year, raising his career victory total on the tour to six.

“And yeah, missed quite a few but obviously made a few. All in all, a very nice solid round of golf. Something I was looking to try and do before the final round.”

Retief Goosen was down in last place after slipping to a five-over-par 77 in the second round.