Ernie Els

Theodore Ernest ( Ernie ) Els (born 17 October 1969 in Johannesburg) is a South African professional golfer and since the mid-1990s to the absolute world top. He recorded with both the European Tour and the U.S. PGA TOUR and is four times Major winner.

Teens

Els played rugby, cricket, tennis and began to play with eight years of golf. He had his first success in tennis when he won the Eastern Transvaal Junior Championships with 13. At 14, Ernie handicap had reached 0, and decided to focus on golf. In 1984 he won at the Junior World Golf Championship in the category of 13 to 14 year olds.

Career

The end of 1989 Els professional golfer and was won his first tournament in 1991 at the South African Sunshine Tour ( golf ). This was followed by a global winning streak that earned him more than sixty successes and Els, with the exception of 2009 brought not a single win -less year.

Els played for South Africa from 1992-2000 throughout the Dunhill Cup (after 2000, this competition is no longer held ), the could his team win twice. Five times he played for his country in the World Cup, twice victorious, and eight times he has been convened in the International team at the Presidents Cup.

Ernie Els struggled in 2005 successfully against the attempt of the U.S. PGA Tour, that he should thus play more tournaments in the United States and on the PGA Tour. The attempt was to raise the minimum number required to obtain the PGA Tour card. Ernie Els stated that he lived on the one hand and Europe on the other hand see it as international player who plays both on the European Tour (and thus also in Australia, Africa and Asia plays ) as well as on the U.S. PGA Tour.

A torn ligament in his left knee, which he drew upon in July 2005 during a sailing holiday, ended his season prematurely Golf and cost Els the third consecutive win on the European Tour Order of Merit. Also on his tournament results 2006, this injury has had an impact.

The game

His golf swing is true in professional circles and in the press as one of the most elegant. The swing rhythm is comparatively slow by his own admission, meaning that boom and bust rate is relatively low. Els has in addition to his talent on koordinativem anatomical advantages: it is at a height of more than 1.90 meters to a very vigorous. Secondly, it is highly portable, allowing him a wide rotation. Strength and flexibility allow its momentum very look effortless and easy. This earned him the nickname of The Big Easy. His momentum and the momentum of his professional colleagues and compatriot Retief Goosen were nearly equal at a young age and are still very similar.

Best Merits and Records

His greatest achievements include winning the Major at the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997 and at the Open Championship in 2002 and 2012.

His seven victories in the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, which are regarded as the unofficial world championship in match play set, a record dar. Likewise, the power that he accomplish six hits, three times in a row ( 1994-96 and 2002-04 ) could have been reached by any other golfer.

The victory with thirteen strokes ahead, at the BMW Asian Open in China in 2005, is also a record.

Personal

Not only because of its distinctive, lightweight golf swing he is called The Big Easy, but also because he shows little emotion during the game. It always looks as it would what make its competitors, not interested. In 2004 Masters, he lost to a strike against Phil Mickelson. While Mickelson holed his birdie for birdie, Els could taste an apple and chewed loose to himself. However, we should not label him as uncaring - he has a wife ( Liezl ), two children ( Samantha and Ben ) and smiles as often as possible in the camera.

Els has promotes its own foundation (The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation, founded in 1999 ), which supports underprivileged children in South Africa and talent for the game of golf.

For a long time Els has his main residence at Wentworth, west of London, right on the 16th hole of the West Course of Wentworth Club. In 2008, he announced to transfer his residence in southern Florida. In addition to the optimal training opportunities in winter, gave better care options for his son Ben decisive.

In September 2010, his acceptance into the World Golf Hall of Fame was announced.

Business

Ernie Els operated very successfully in golf course design and has designed golf courses in China, USA, Dubai and South Africa, and in 2006 the transformation of the West Course at Wentworth Club - one of the most famous English golf facilities and headquarters of the European Tour - performed.

Under the label of Ernie Els Wines from South Africa operates a winery in his native country, which is now red wines, and in the future also produces white wines.

PGA Tour victories

Major championships are shown in bold.

European Tour wins ( 29)

Major Championship in bold.

Other tournament victories

Participation in team competitions

• Alfred Dunhill Cup ( South Africa ) (9): 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 ( winners ), 1998 ( winners ), 1999, 2000
• World Cup ( South Africa ) (5): 1992, 1993, 1996 ( individual competition and team victory ), 1997, 2001 (winner)
• Presidents Cup ( International team ) ( 8): 1996, 1998 ( winners ), 2000, 2003 (Draw ), 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013

Results in Major Championships

DNP = did not participate CUT = cut failed "T " shared placement Green background for wins Yellow background for top 10