ERNIE Els has an impressive array of silverware in his trophy cabinet. Two Open championships, two US Open, as well as several World Match Play Championships – to name but a few.
The one thing missing though is the green jacket that the winners of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club receive.
And it is something that the Johannesburg-born golfer has been chasing for 20 years – since he first played at Augusta, back in 1994.
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, who challenged last year until the least round when he fell back to 25th, said at the time that he is certain a 50-plus player will win a major. The statement brings a smile to Els’ face.
“That’s good news, then I have got another 10 years,” the 44-year-old says.
“Seriously, though, you are not going to beat time, I have been playing here for 20 years. I’ve had a lot of chances and I will keep on trying. I can’t think of time running out, I have to think of this week. I have to hope it works this week and if not, then I have to look at next year.
“But obviously, the older you get, the less time you have.”
The South African is confident that he has a good chance this week.
“I am hitting the ball much better. I played better over the weekend in Houston and I have been tinkering obviously with my equipment and I feel I have got it sorted. I am putting quite well, so I am looking forward to a nice week.”
Els shares the view that the Masters is special.
“It is different. Obviously, you play here every year and the members and the committee can see what they need to improve on, if there is anything that needs to be improved, so they learn from each and every event. It’s an absolutely unique event, it is different than any other major.”
The “Big Easy” tied for seventh on Wednesday in the Par Three tournament that is traditionally played on the day before the tournament starts. His 14-year-old daughter caddied for him.
He said there was some value in playing the Par Three tournament. “You are getting used to the crowd noise. You are putting out, the greens are not as quick as over there , but you are putting out. I actually wanted to work on some of my wedges, so it was a nice little practice round.”
The two-time father said it was great to have Samantha caddie for him.
“All the pros are bringing their kids, or their wives or fathers or moms to caddie here. To see all these kids here, I think this is a nice showpiece for kids to see.
“She is good, she is great, she is a really good tennis player. She has got that competitiveness in her and she actually, when I missed a couple of putts today, she said: ‘I could have told you it was not going to break that bounce’.”
He said the atmosphere during the Par Three tournament is jovial. “Most of the golfers are happy here, when you get to the other side , you don’t see too many happy faces, so this is a nice picture for golf.”
Els is now hoping that come Sunday evening, he will still have his happy face – as happy as only the winner of an elusive green jacket can be.
Els out to show green jacket can be right fit
The one thing missing though is the green jacket that the winners of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club receive.
And it is something that the Johannesburg-born golfer has been chasing for 20 years – since he first played at Augusta, back in 1994.
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, who challenged last year until the least round when he fell back to 25th, said at the time that he is certain a 50-plus player will win a major. The statement brings a smile to Els’ face.
“That’s good news, then I have got another 10 years,” the 44-year-old says.
“Seriously, though, you are not going to beat time, I have been playing here for 20 years. I’ve had a lot of chances and I will keep on trying. I can’t think of time running out, I have to think of this week. I have to hope it works this week and if not, then I have to look at next year.
“But obviously, the older you get, the less time you have.”
The South African is confident that he has a good chance this week.
“I am hitting the ball much better. I played better over the weekend in Houston and I have been tinkering obviously with my equipment and I feel I have got it sorted. I am putting quite well, so I am looking forward to a nice week.”
Els shares the view that the Masters is special.
“It is different. Obviously, you play here every year and the members and the committee can see what they need to improve on, if there is anything that needs to be improved, so they learn from each and every event. It’s an absolutely unique event, it is different than any other major.”
The “Big Easy” tied for seventh on Wednesday in the Par Three tournament that is traditionally played on the day before the tournament starts. His 14-year-old daughter caddied for him.
He said there was some value in playing the Par Three tournament. “You are getting used to the crowd noise. You are putting out, the greens are not as quick as over there , but you are putting out. I actually wanted to work on some of my wedges, so it was a nice little practice round.”
The two-time father said it was great to have Samantha caddie for him.
“All the pros are bringing their kids, or their wives or fathers or moms to caddie here. To see all these kids here, I think this is a nice showpiece for kids to see.
“She is good, she is great, she is a really good tennis player. She has got that competitiveness in her and she actually, when I missed a couple of putts today, she said: ‘I could have told you it was not going to break that bounce’.”
He said the atmosphere during the Par Three tournament is jovial. “Most of the golfers are happy here, when you get to the other side , you don’t see too many happy faces, so this is a nice picture for golf.”
Els is now hoping that come Sunday evening, he will still have his happy face – as happy as only the winner of an elusive green jacket can be.
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