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
greens last perhaps small year
Perhaps I know the greens a little better than Vijay because of last year and I know where they will break. I would like to think I have perhaps a very small advantage.
competing favorite forward sit tough year
It's going to be a tough one to sit out. This is one of my favorite tournaments of the year and one I really look forward to competing in.
course gets golf great keeps playing present quality runs year
He just makes this place better every year. The golf course keeps improving, the quality of the way they present the golf course gets better all the time, and I think this year is no different. It's just great playing on a golf course like this. He runs a great show.
european fantastic field tougher week year
We have a tougher field this year with Vijay and some of the other European stars, so it should be a fantastic week obviously.
feeling masters next open ready reason time traveling virus year
I will be ready for the Masters next time around and had I not got a virus just before Augusta, this year I would have been ready. I don't know if it was all the traveling that did it to me or whatever, but also for some reason I went to the U.S. Open feeling tired.
bomb course hit hole love plays tee
I'm sure you have a hole at your course where you love to hit the tee shot. You can't wait to get up there and bomb away because the fairway is wide, or the hole always plays downwind.
definitely europe guys opposite total
I know what Europe is like and it is the total opposite from here at the moment. Guys will definitely have to take their fluids and look after themselves.
believe enjoyed finish knew people scottish sure together trouble watching
I knew we were all in trouble and I didn't really believe I could keep it together to finish at five-under. I'm sure the Scottish people enjoyed watching us today.
courses good grew love reminds south
I like the course, I love the way it's set out. It reminds me a lot of courses that I grew up on in South Africa. I've got a good feel for the place.
biggest dig ground hitting pinch ripping trying
The biggest mistake is trying to pinch down on the ball and ripping out a big divot, often hitting the ground before the ball. You'll dig up some turf, but you won't create much backspin.
accuracy best form great player premium short win
The best player who is on form is going to win the tournament. Accuracy is at a premium here and you'd better have your short game. Overall, it's a great test.
emotion putt remember seems shots
I was 27, and it seems like just yesterday. I remember a lot of shots I made, and when I made the putt at 18, it's probably the most emotion I've ever shown.
birdie guess nine played ran shoot
It's not always that you're going to shoot a 29 in a major. You just want to keep grinding, keep playing. On the back nine I played pretty solid. I guess I just ran out of birdie holes.
chase majors name nice number
It's nice to see your name as number two again. I've got a long way to get to number one. But I don't want to think about it too much. I want to chase majors more than I want to be number one.