Ernie deserves big swing in fortune
Els’s CV for 2004 is as impressive as it is heart breaking. He was second in the Masters at Augusta in April when Phil Mickelson birdied the 72nd hole, 9th at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in June having been in the last match on the final day and then he was beaten in a play-off for the Open Championship by Todd Hamilton.
The 34-year-old South African surely deserves a big swing of fortune in his favour over this remarkable golf course through the next four days.
The bookmakers appear to agree, having installed Els as a 6 to 1 favourite ahead of Tiger Woods, Mickelson and Vijay Singh, but the test that lies ahead for a man whose best finish in the PGA was a tie for 3rd back in 1995 remains a formidable one.
Not half as difficult, though, for the 30-strong European contingent with the title last crossing to the continent with Tommy Armour in 1930.
Four hail from Ireland, with Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, world ranked 8th and 14th respectively, among our biggest hopes and supported this time by Paul McGinley, who has been showing a welcome return to form, and Graeme McDowell, the Italian Open winner.
It can hardly be argued that Els did almost everything he could have done to win the Masters, shooting eight under and closing with a 67 only to be undone by Mickelson’s exceptional display over the closing stretch. On the other hand, he could be faulted for the manner in which he allowed himself to shoot 80 on that amazing last day at Shinnecock and he also has some explaining to do where failing to capitalise on a gilt edged in the Open at Troon is concerned.
The point is not lost on the man himself.
“When I hit that putt on the 72nd hole at Troon, I couldn’t afford to be aggressive. I might have hit it six feet past and missed the one back,” he argued. “I guess as long as I play the game, I’ll think about that putt. But that’s the game of golf.”
The time has now arrived for the Big Easy to grin again. And it helps that he likes this extraordinary venue.
“It kind of looks like a links but definitely doesn’t play like one. It plays a little softer and you have to fly the ball in there. It’s a great test.”
Tiger Woods, major-less since the US Open in 2002, hopes to end that barren run this week. He continues to insist that he’s close to being back to his best but the cynics are many. His long game lacks the consistency and accuracy so essential for success around major championship courses.
He has absolute respect for Whistling Straits, accepting that: “no one hole concerns me more than any other, all 18 do. There’s not one where you feel you can’t make double bogey. You can hit a marginal golf shot and end up making double very easily. I’ve never seen that on any other course.”
Phil Mickelson, who in different circumstances could be chasing the Grand Slam this week, believes the course is well suited to his game.
“The biggest factor on the scores will be the wind because it comes from different directions at different strengths,” he said. “That in turn makes it play totally different as to what holes you can make birdie and where you’re fighting for par.”
There’s no doubt Whistling Straits, wind or no wind, is a fearsome test. The last nine majors have been won by nine different players so nobody dominates any more. Another shock winner in the Ben Curtis-Shaun Micheel-Todd Hamilton mould must not be ruled out but I’ll stick with Els once again.
He has the game. He has the experience. Now all he needs is the luck, and those golfing gods to start smiling.
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