Els ready for Dubai despite ‘crazy’ schedule

ERNIE ELS feels fit and ready to continue his magical start to the season, despite a schedule that he admits looks “crazy.”

Thu, 06 Mar, 2003 - 00:00

Mark Garrod, Dubai

The world number two has already clocked up nearly 50,000 air miles this year and today tees off in the Dubai Desert Classic after a late decision that the Middle East state is a safe place to be.

"If you keep watching television you probably wouldn't come here," said Els, fully understanding of Tiger Woods' decision to stay in America.

"It was a tough decision for me, it really was, but I don't fear for my safety at all. This is a great place to go and I've been looked after unbelievably. It does not feel like there are (security) people around me and there should not be.

"It's a very difficult situation and I can understand why guys pulled out. Now I am here I am happy, but at the end of the day I am not saying I am right and they are wrong. There are a lot of things happening in the world. The world is not quite normal the way we understand it."

Already this year Els has spent time in South Africa, Hawaii (twice), Singapore, Australia, Bali, California, Florida and London.

However, he does not see it as detrimental to his hopes of sustaining a challenge to Woods in the months ahead.

"I think it's taking a toll on my caddie he looked tired today but I'm a fit young man, have been doing this all my life and it's not that big a deal.

"Yes it looks hectic, crazy, but I've my own private jet and it really wasn't. Because I lost in the first round last week (to Phil Tataurangi in the Accenture World Matchplay) it actually feels like I've had two weeks off.

"And it's been worthwhile."

You can say that again.

Els has set scoring records both for the US and European tours, has won four times and is an amazing 100 under par for the year. He is averaging 66.8 for every round so far.

With no Woods "it would have been nice if he had been here, but we will get our chance" and no Colin Montgomerie either, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington will be expected to provide the biggest threat to Els' hopes of retaining the title.

Clarke was a quarter-finalist last week, while Harrington also seeks his first Dubai win two years after finishing joint runner-up with Woods behind Thomas Bjorn.

However, Els is a red-hot favourite with good reason, if all his travelling does not suddenly catch up with him.

This is his year so far:

Jan 1-4: South Africa

Jan 5: flew to Maui, Hawaii

Jan 12: won Mercedes Championship: 64-65-65-67 = 261 (-31)

Jan 13: flew to Honolulu, Hawaii

Jan 19: won Sony Open: 66-65-66-67 = 264 (-16)

Jan 20: flew to Singapore

Jan 26: second in Singapore Masters: 69-67-70-73 279 (-9)

Jan 27: flew to Melbourne

Feb 2: won Heineken Classic: 70-72-66-65 = 273 (-15)

Feb 3: flew to Bali (holiday)