Ernie Els

Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Elsis a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature) along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionAthlete
adam bit confidence given huge last played win wish
It would be a huge confidence booster to win here. I wish I'd played like this last week. I would have given (Beijing winner) Adam Scott a bit of a go.
bit chipping feet fit hopefully moment possible putting stay
At the moment I have to stay off my feet as much as possible but hopefully I'll be fit enough to do a bit of chipping and putting soon.
ball bit flatter game hard hitting last plane steep trying worked
I worked really hard on my long game the last two week, especially last week. I'm working on a bit of a flatter plane through the ball. I got a little bit steep on the ball so I'm trying to flatten it out a little bit through the hitting area.
arms bit club conscious cracking loosen smash whip
Make a conscious effort to loosen your hands and let your arms feel soft when you're at address. Take the club back a bit shorter, and feel as if you're cracking a whip on the way down - not tensing up to smash something hard.
ball bit careful rough
That little bit of rough, it's rough now. You've got to be careful how the ball comes out there.
bit call game golf meant played promote
It's a bit crazy. Why call them World Championships if they're going to be played in the same place all the time? World Golf Championships are meant to promote the game all over the globe.
bit careful defensive fine playing saying
It's a fine line. When I did get a little defensive on 10, it really bit me in the behind. ... You can't get defensive. If you play away from the flag, that's not saying it's defensive. That's being careful and playing the percentages.
bit happy holes maybe remember safe
Where they're tucking the flags, you can really look silly...you've got to maybe play a little bit more safe at some holes and I think I'll remember that for tomorrow's round. But I've got to be happy with that start.
bit might
You probably don't hit as many fairway-bunker shots as you do the greenside ones, and that unfamiliarity might make you a bit nervous.
bit determined good played today
Today I was a bit more determined not to let it get to me too much, and I played a good back nine.
bit good par rough start
I had a bit of a rough start there and made some good par putts on the first two holes,
ball bit chances feels hitting middle putt stroke
I didn't putt well at all today. I had many chances but didn't take them. However, I feel I am hitting the ball nicely. My stroke feels goods, but I was a little off bit off. I must get into middle 60s to have a chance of winning.
becoming bit excitement fun hardest
All in all, you know, it's very tough. Where it used to be kind of the most fun of all the majors, it's becoming the hardest one now. So it's going to take a bit of the excitement away, definitely.
ball bit catch fat hit hitting key plenty
The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you'll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.