Ernie Els

It has been another good year for South African Ernie Els. He has had big wins in the Loch Lomond event when he held off the challenge of Colin Montgomerie and Tom Lehman and also the Million Dollar Classic in Johannesburg when he pipped Lee Westwood. Els is widely regarded as one of the nicest people on the US golf tour and he is a commensurate professional whose demeanour on the course is an example to all. His comments about courses and fellow professionals are always complementary and he always seems courteous to the media. Els has a complete game being a long and accurate hitter off the ... more

The easy-swinging South African boasts one of the most consistent Open records in recent times with five finishes inside the top 12 since 1992 including a second at Lytham in 1996 and a tied 11th at St Andrews in 1995. Suffered a surprisingly slump in the Majors after the second of his two US Open wins in 1997 but with his focus back again this year he's finished runner-up in both the Masters and the US Open. And there's plenty of evidence to suggest that he could go one better at St Andrews. As well as that tied 11th spot in 1995 Els has also played some sparkling golf in the Dunhill Cup. The ... more

Ernie Els is known colloquially in golfing circles as the big easy this does not refer to a New Orleans origin but merely the apparent ease with which he propels the ball great distances. His swing has such sublime rythm and tempo that many have questioned why he has only won two major championships. He too may be contemplting the same question has he clutches 3 winners up medals for the three majors held this year. That is the same number of times that he has finished second to tiger most enthralling in their opening ecounter in Hawaii where they both proved their golfing credentials trading ... more