£1 million win and Els still hankers for more major wins

ERNIE ELS may have banked more than £15 million from his exploits on the golf course, but it has not sated the hunger for major trophies felt by Europe’s new number one.

The South African's success in the World Match Play at Wentworth yesterday earned him a cool £1m after a convincing victory over friend and neighbour Thomas Bjorn.

That huge first prize the second biggest in golf somewhat overshadowed the other achievement bestowed on Els, who was confirmed as Order of Merit winner during the Wentworth tournament.

It has been a big year for the 34-year-old with seven wins from tournaments on either side of the Atlantic, including European successes in the Heineken Classic, the Johnnie Walker Classic, The Scottish Open and the Omega European Masters.

But despite an unerring consistency this season a Major title eluded Els, a double-winner of the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and champion in the 131st Open at Muirfield last year.

A fifth World Match Play victory yesterday equalled the record set by compatriot Gary Player, which was later matched by Seve Ballesteros who said yesterday that Els could overtake long-time world number one and winner of eight major titles Tiger Woods.

And it is that desire to secure more success in the 'Big Four' events (US Open, US PGA, US Masters and The Open) which is driving Els on.

"I feel good about being the new European number one," said Els. "My goals are to win major championships and to win tournaments. I have supported the European Tour since 1991 and, after earning my card in 1992, it is great to finally win the Volvo Order of Merit."

Els, who has made his home on the Wentworth estate, is planning to change his plans in the future to try cut down on his travelling, but that does not mean we will be seeing less of the likeable South African.

"I've been doing it for eight years now. My schedule will probably start changing quite dramatically next year," he said. "I still think I'm going to play Hawaii (the Mercedes Championship and the Sony Open) and then I'm still contracted to do the Heineken Classic (in Australia) and the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand.

"Then I'm going to try and play different events next year a little bit. I do enjoy it. Playing in Australia that time of the year (northern hemisphere's springtime) is better for my game than playing the west coast of America.

"I did the west coast for two or three years, and I didn't really enjoy it much. It feels like the days are really short. The weather is not great. We play great golf courses, but they're never in really great condition."

He added on the European Tour's website, www.europeantour.com: "In Australia we play at Royal Melbourne, I think it's one of the top five courses in the world, good weather, good practice facilities. They look after you unbelievably well.

"I feel I get more out of my game being down there, the only thing is getting there. It's a hell of a long way to go, but so far I've really enjoyed it."