Ernie's ire at US 'farce'

WHOEVER christened Ernie Els 'The Big Easy' wasn't within earshot yesterday as the South African laid into American golf chiefs as an organisation and individuals.

Els is still struggling to shake off the disappointment and embarrassment of his final round 80 in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills last month, a collapse that has annoyed him to such an extent that yesterday he launched his most virulent tirade so far on the people he feels were largely responsible.

When told that an USGA official had suggested he had 'given up' in that final round, Els blasted: "I'd like to meet the guy who said that. He shouldn't have said that. How do you give up? That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my entire life. I've never given up in any round of golf. If did give up, I'd have shot a hundred. They've got no idea. They've lost the plot in the story. To take one of the best golf courses in the world and to make a farce like that, I mean they've got egg on their face."