Ernie has inspiration for Open

THE year was 1997 and Ernie Els was bidding to capture the US Open at Congressional near Washington.

It was, however, a massive ask for the South African and he had serious doubts he could see it through.

He turned to the person who could inject the necessary self-belief his grandfather, Theodore Ernest Vermaak.

After they discussed matters over the telephone, Ernie went out and did what was required.

On Monday of last week, Mr Vermaak passed away at the great age of 97.

The first Theodore Ernest was laid to rest in Sandton, Johannesburg, last Wednesday, with the second Theodore Ernest dedicating himself to winning next week's British Open Championship at St Andrews in his memory.

"He was the spark for everything," said Ernie. "He taught me the etiquette of the game and was stern in that area. The US Open, '97, I spoke to him every day because I was a bit low and he reassured me. He was a great man, 97 years old, and we laid him to rest in a beautiful tribute."

Els has spent the last few days in Ireland looking over potential course sites at Kinsale and Kilmore Quay and enjoying a leisurely time at the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare.

He gets back into serious playing mode at this week's Loch Lomond Scottish Open and then on to St Andrew's for the big one.

He says the Old Course is "tailor-made" for Tiger Woods, who ran away with the Open when it was last staged there in 2000, but also commented that "it is my favourite venue next to Muirfield", where he captured the title in 2002.

"Winning the Open at St Andrews would be the pinnacle of anybody's career," he says.

"If you can do that and also win the Masters, then you could ride off into the sunset. In 2000 Tiger was unstoppable.

"On any links course, you've got to get used to the bounces. They are so different. Playing Loch Lomond one week and St Andrews in the Open a week later, we're talking two different planets. St Andrews is a course you've really got to know.

Nearly every tee shot is blind. That's especially the case on the front nine so you don't see many of the bunkers and accordingly you really have to know where you're going. Guys who have never played it are really at a disadvantage.

"I first played it in the Links Trust trophy as an amateur in 1987. Then I played the Dunhill Cup there and of course the '95 and 2000 Opens, so I know it pretty well."

St Andrews has been appreciably lengthened for next week, with the long 14th, previously a birdie opportunity, stretched to such an extent it may cause a lot of grief.

However, on a calm day, the Old Course can be taken apart. Curtis Strange and Graeme McDowell have both shot 62 there in the Dunhill Cup and Dunhill Links. So could the magical 60 mark be under pressure in the Open itself?

"I don't think so," Els says. "If there's no wind, they can put the flags where you hit a great shot and it ends up 30 feet away. Those scores were recorded in the Dunhill when the pins are a little bit different. In 2000, there wasn't any wind but apart from Tiger, who shot 19 under, the scoring wasn't great. Sixty is not breakable there.

"Nor do I see anybody doing 19 under again. Tiger didn't go in a single bunker that year and I don't think that will happen again. You'd have to play out of your boots to do it.

It's astonishing what he did but it was relatively easy then and you could really play safe. When the wind is blowing, you'll have to use the driver and so you bring a lot more trouble into play.

"As for recent majors, I can't put my finger on why the top-ranked players are in contention but they're not winning. I suppose the other guys aren't scared anymore. The competitiveness, the level of play throughout the game is much higher. There can be a British or Irish winner. Pádraig [Harrington] is obviously playing good, he hits it long and has plenty of experience around there. Lee Westwood is another ... Luke Donald of the younger brigade and Paul Casey has a good chance if he gets his game back ... Darren Clarke can have a great Open ... I think a European could win it. Sergio obviously."

And then there's Els himself, champion at Muirfield in 2002.

He and his South African compatriot Retief Goosen have won two Dunhill Cups at St Andrews and reached the final on another occasion.

When you suggest that the home of golf should hold no fears for him, the 'Big Easy' just flashes that familiar smile.

It speaks volumes.