Golf: Els ready to master Augusta

Fresh from his victory over Tiger Woods in the Genuity Championship, Ernie Els believes he is finally ready to master the challenges of Augusta National and win his first green jacket.

Els arrived for the Dubai Desert Classic today after winning his first USPGA Tour title in over 18 months in Florida, holding off a late charge from the world number one.

And the South African is confident the modifications made to the Augusta lay-out will give him a great chance of preventing Woods from defending his title next month.

The Georgia course has been lengthened by 285 yards to 7,270 yards in an effort to combat the advances in modern technology allowing players to drive the ball over traditional trouble spots.

‘‘They have done a wonderful job,’’ said Els, whose best finish at Augusta was second behind Vijay Singh in 2000. ‘‘It is a tougher test now. It was a driving paradise, but now you have really got to get yourself in position and take it from there.

‘‘You have to be accurate off the tee. I shot even par and I thought I played pretty well. I’d like to think it plays more into my hands.’’

Sunday’s victory was an important milestone for Els as he finally got the better of his nemesis Woods. Two years ago Els finished runner-up to the American on no fewer than four occasions, including the British and US Opens, and he also lost an eight-stroke lead to Woods in the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic.

Els’ eight-shot lead going into the final round on Sunday was also cut to one by Woods on the back nine at Doral, but the Surrey-based 32-year-old held on to win by two shots.

And Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn believes that will be an important psychological boost for the player nicknamed ‘The Big Easy,’ whose win takes him up two places to third in the world rankings, behind Woods and Phil Mickelson.

‘‘I think Ernie is going to have a massive year. If there was anybody that deserves to win under those circumstances it was him because he’s lost to him Woods so many times now, and it should be a big monkey off Ernie’s back,’’ said Bjorn, who defends the title he won in a four-day head-to-head with Woods last year this week at the Emirates Club.

‘‘I think it’s about time he started producing what he’s capable of. If anybody has the game that can stand up and get very close to Tiger I think Ernie has the game. When he is at his best he can get very, very close.’’