Els makes Chiangmai Classic cut

Chiangmai - Ernie Els practiced on the putting green after scoring a 1-under-par 71 to just make the cut by two strokes in the second round of the Chiangmai Classic on Friday.

Thailand Open champion Prayad Marksaeng shot a 67 to be at 12 under overall and holding onto the lead by two strokes from the foursome of India's Diqvijay Singh (67), fellow Thais Thongchai Jaidee (65) and Pawin Inkhapradit (67), and American Jonathan Moore (68).

Y.E. Yang posted a bogey-free 68 to be five strokes behind in the Asian Tour event.

Els, trying to get used to a short putter, which he will resume playing with after the Masters, bogeyed Nos. 3 and 5 followed by three straight birdies at Alpine Golf Resort. But he could only par the back nine. He trailed Prayad by eight shots.

"I kind of had to fight just to be here for the weekend," Els said. "I'm going to stick with the short putter for the next two days and hopefully roll some in.

"I'll go out there with an aggressive mindset tomorrow. I've not had a really low round all year."