Majors are main focus for Els

Ernie Els will skip the $7.5m (€5.8m) Accenture Match Play for the second year in succession as he dedicates himself to Major glory.

The European number one won a record sixth HSBC World Match Play title at Wentworth last year but has a poor record in the WGC version in California.

The world number three lost in the first round to Paul Azinger in 1999, the second round to Bob Estes in 2000, the second round again to Tom Lehman in 2002, and most surprisingly of all, to New Zealand’s Phil Tataurangi in the first round in 2003.

He did reach the semi-finals in 2001, losing to Pierre Fulke, but that was when the event was held in early January in Australia and many other star names stayed away.

Last year the South African withdrew to be with his daughter Samantha in her first week at school and the 35-year-old will again be absent when the 64-man field assembles at La Costa from February 23-27.

“Last year was a very good year but the four Majors were very disappointing,” said Els ahead of the defence of his Heineken Classic title in Melbourne.

“I had four chances to win but basically blew the one at the US Open.

“I have learnt a lot and had some time to reflect on last year, especially in the Majors, and there are a couple of things I can improve on and work on which will hopefully make a difference.”

Phil Mickelson birdied the 18th to beat Els to the US Masters title by a single stroke, while Todd Hamilton denied Els a second Open title in a four-hole play-off at Troon.

Els was also in the last group in the final round at the US Open before crashing to a closing 80, and missed out on a play-off for the USPGA by a single shot after a last round 73.

The South African added: “I feel mentally I have come a long way in the last three to four years so I feel good about that. There are a number of technical aspects where I can be better and I have started working on them with David Leadbetter, and hopefully it will make a difference to winning a Major this year.

“I know the courses very well where we are going to play this year (Augusta, Pinehurst, St Andrews and Baltusrol) and I feel I can have a good shot at it this year.”

Els is aiming for his fourth straight Heineken Classic title at Royal Melbourne, where he almost became the first player on the European Tour to shoot a magical 59.

A birdie on either of the last two holes would have seen Els create history but he had to settle for a first-round 60. Eight shots clear going into the final round, Els eventually scraped home by one shot from Adam Scott after going out in 42 in a closing 74.

Australia’s Stuart Appleby fears the course could again be overpowered and tournament officials have moved to prevent such low scoring by converting the 418-metre par-five 10th into a par four, reducing par to 71.

But Els believes his scoring feats are unlikely to be repeated, especially if the predicted weather change brings windy conditions to Melbourne.

“I can’t see anybody, touch wood, breaking that score,” said Els.

“There is just too much that can happen. The way I played that day was as perfect as I can play a round of golf.

“I had a golden chance last year but unfortunately bogeyed 15 and birdied 16 and couldn’t get a birdie on the last two holes.

“I know people are worried about someone breaking 60 around Royal Melbourne but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“It’s just you have freaky days where the weather is right, the greens are receptive like they were last year and the pin positions on the first day are not as tough as they are on Sunday.”