Ernie Els adds the Volvo Golf Champions to his 2013 schedule
The reigning British Open champion Ernie Els has committed to participate in the Volvo Golf Champions, slated to start from January 10, 2013.
The tournament will be staged at the prestigious Durban Country Club, offering a total prize fund of US$2 million, to the participants.
The Volvo Golf Champions, which is also regarded as European Tour’s ‘tournament of champions’, is known for attracting a strong field each year.
This year too, the tournament has reeled in some prominent names, including the likes of the US Open champion Retief Goosen, the 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, the young sensation Matteo Manassero and the defending champion Branden Grace.
Els is one of the strongest additions to the tournament this season, because of his exceptional track record.
So far in his career, he has won a total of 69 tournaments, including four major golf championship victories, and seven World Matchplay titles, most by any player in the history of the game.
The 2012 edition of the Volvo Golf Champions witnessed Els coming close to victory, when he entered into the sudden-death playoffs, along with Retief Goosen and Branden Grace.
However, Grace came out of the field as the victor, after he defeated his opponents, to record the second European Tour victory of his career.
Els is now relishing the opportunity to participate in the 2013 edition, which will allow him to start his 2013 campaign in front of his local fans.
“I am delighted to be able to include the Volvo Golf Champions in my schedule. It is the perfect way for me to start off my year playing in South Africa in front of my home fans,” said the South African, who recorded a stunning come-from-behind victory earlier this year at The Open Championship.
"I am looking forward to returning to the Durban Country Club as I’ve won there before and have some great memories of the course. After coming so close at Fancourt, I would love to be able to finish one place higher in January to start off my season in the best possible way,” added the 27-time European Tour winner.
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