Ernie Els got back in his groove on Thursday with a fighting 67 to be one off the clubhouse lead at the rain-hit Singapore Open, but admits he needs to sink more putts to end his win drought.

The big South African, who turned 40 this month, stroked a bogey-free round, ending just before torrential rain lashed the course, preventing 78 players from finishing.

With no wins since the Honda Classic and King Hassan II Trophy in early 2008, he was happy just to be in contention.

"It is a good start to the tournament. I felt like I was really in control of my swing today. I hit the ball really nicely," he said.

But Els was not happy with his short game, and is considering changing putters.

"Obviously I would have liked to make some more putts. I left a lot of putts out there I feel," he said.

"That's just the way it has been. I am hitting putts on line but they are not going in. It is a bit of a lull with the putter. Maybe I'll change putters on Friday.

"I really want to figure it out with the putter. I don't know if a different putter will help."

Els has claimed 64 tournaments in his long career, and has won at least once every year since he turned professional in 1989.

But that impressive record is in danger of being lost with just three tournaments left to play this year.

"I have won tournaments (every year) ever since I turned pro be it on the South African Tour, European Tour, in the United States or Asia," he said.

"This year I have not won anything - I am running out of time. I am only playing three more events so obviously I would like a win. I am aiming for that for my own self good."

Els, who has played most of his career as a top-10 player, has slumped to 22 in the world. He finished second here last year behind winner Jeev Milkha Singh.

On Wednesday, he hit out at the European Tour for scheduling the World Matchplay Championship in the same week as Singapore.

He is a seven-time Matchplay winner and the defending champion but has contractual obligations to appear here.