Ernie Els believes he has holed his last putt at Augusta National but last night he backed Rory McIlroy to do what he failed to and win the Masters.

He’s one of golf’s big three but while he has spent a few days watching Africa’s big five and has his sights set on returning to world number one this month, Rory McIlroy’s early-season sojourn to South Africa is all about one thing — the first major of the year.

Spanish debutant Jon Rahm showed his first round was no flash in the pan at Congressional as he kept a share of the lead in the Quicken Loans National.

It was suggested to Ernie Els that the US Golf Association should make Oakmont Country Club its marquee US Open venue and provide the sort of reverence that the R&A extends to the Old Course in St Andrews.

Oakmont has hosted the US Open more than any other golf course, and there’s a reason.

Whoever lifts the US Open trophy in Pittsburgh this weekend, he will need to be a man of steel in the nerves department to triumph in a city once described as “hell with the lid taken off.”

Those of a cruel disposition call him the Big Difficult but anyone who has dealt with Ernie Els will attest to his status as the gentle giant of the game.

Somewhere between Jordan Spieth two-putting the par-5 13 to reach five under and jamming an approach to 5 feet at the 18th to set up one more birdie and a round of 66, the first round of the 80th Masters produced a hole in the pit of your stomach.

It would appear to be an impossible reach for a 22-year-old, to go where only the greatest of the greats have gone. Successfully defend your Masters title? Only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have done that.

There’s no such thing as a sure thing in golf and while Paul McGinley believes the stars will align and Rory McIlroy will soon put together a performance for the ages, there is no guarantee it will happen in the Masters.

South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl claimed the clubhouse lead in the BMW SA Open as tournament host Ernie Els suffered another attack of the dreaded yips at Glendower.

Royal County Down is rated one of the best courses in the world but it’s going to be a massive challenge in tough weather, even for the best players in the world.

The buzz around the media centre yesterday left you in no doubt as to the status of the Irish Open, with a who’s who of golf gracing the interview room in quick succession.

European Ryder Cup heroes Victor Dubuisson, Jamie Donaldson and Miguel Angel Jimenez have become the latest stars to confirm their plans to play Royal Co Down in two weeks as the entry deadline closed for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Ernie Els has always been a rugby player at heart, a big and bruising heavyweight champion in a sport, golf, that doesn’t fancy itself for that weight class.

When John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote “With a Little Help from My Friends” they never have imagined it would become one of the biggest sellers of all time. 

England’s Andy Sullivan has one local major champion hot on his heels at the halfway stage of the South African Open, but surprisingly another dropped well off the pace in Johannesburg.

Tournament host Ernie Els set about making amends for a winless 2014 at the earliest possible opportunity with an excellent start to his bid for a sixth South African Open title yesterday.

Former world number one Ernie Els celebrated his 45th birthday by shooting a five-under-par 65 to take the lead in the Hong Kong Open at the halfway stage.

Rory McIlroy roared back on the second day of The Barclays with a brilliant six-under-par 65, but the world number one still trails joint leaders Adam Scott and Cameron Tringale by five shots heading into the weekend.

Rory McIlroy had a real fight on his hands to win his second major in four weeks as the weather-affected USPGA Championship headed towards a thrilling climax at Valhalla.

It may have escaped your notice in the midst of Rory McIlroy’s romantic problems but there is a golf tournament about to get under way at Wentworth today.

Graeme McDowell enjoyed a unique experience at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship this weekend.

Graeme McDowell produced another superb fightback, but Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose went out at extra holes at WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship last night.

A minute’s applause will take place at all football matches in the Premier League, Football League and FA Cup this weekend to mark the passing of Nelson Mandela.

Newly-crowned European number one Henrik Stenson has given a guarded welcome to a new European Tour regulation requiring players to support their home events or be forced to play an extra two tournaments.

The European Tour has announced a comprehensive review into the Final Series after Ernie Els strongly criticised the demands on players.

Colin Montgomerie wants the European Tour to “hold firm” over its Finals Series regulations following player threats they will be forced to quit the tour unless something changes.

Former world number one Ernie Els has described as “farcical” the European Tour’s increased playing demands and will register his disapproval by skipping next week’s flagship season-ending event in Dubai.

The United States opened up a five-point lead on the third day of the Presidents Cup as play was once again disrupted by rain at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

The emotion of the moment was all too clear in his face as Phil Mickelson sank the winning birdie putt, bowed his head, clenched his fists and raised his hands above his head to acknowledge the acclaim he just become Open champion.

Ian Poulter, one of the Royal & Ancient’s most outspoken critics this week, called for Open organisers to be “sensible” with pin positions over the weekend.

Already the oldest winner in European Tour history, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez now has the chance to become the oldest major champion as well in the 142nd Open Championship.

Former Masters champion Zach Johnson today began the 142nd Open Championship in the same imperious style as he did the 141st, but there was no let up in the misery for world number two Rory McIlroy.

In 1992, I was fortunate enough to qualify for my one and only appearance in a Major, the British Open Championship at Muirfield.

The controversy over playing The Open at courses such as men-only Muirfield is not an indication of golf’s need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century but a problem with society in general.

Ernie Els believes he can add more major titles to his collection - before retiring to sell hotdogs on a beach in South Africa.

Padraig Harrington, who once won three Major titles in the space of 13 months, insists he will be happy with his career if he never wins another.