Golf: Ernie Els dumps Scottish Open from 2011 schedule
Ernie Els had no clue regarding this change, or else he would not have signed the deal with the new sponsor! The South African will not compete in the Scottish Open for the first time in nine-years as per request of the sponsor.
Els aka The Big Easy struck a deal with the Royal Bank of Canada in the first week of January 2011. Along with the sweet relishes of endorsement came the hefty requirements of the sponsor. The first one came in the form of compromise on the European Tour, which meant that Els had to give up the Scottish Open. The two-time winner of the title will not be able to return to the holy land of golf for the first time in nine attempts.
The 41-year-old broke the news in a press briefing in Honolulu, Hawaii where he will be staying for the Sony Open. He said, “I'm not going to play the Scottish Open. I am going to play less in Europe, play a bit more in Asia. That's good for the personal brand and stuff we do out there.”
In December 2010, when the Professional Golfers Association and European Tour gave the ultimatum for the choice of the circuit, Els preferred US PGA to the frozen side of Atlantic. The reason behind his discretion was the number of opportunities available and his children studying in United States. Now that he has signed a legal contract, he is bound to play as per request of RBC.
According to the new schedule, Els will take a rest of four weeks after the Sony Open in which he will head home with his family. The break means that he will miss the desert swings on the European tour. Later, he will head to the US Open, World Golf Championship, and Asian circuit.
While disclosing his plans, Els said, “I'm definitely not thinking of retirement, but I'm definitely positioning myself for when that day comes. I'm just trying to position myself. Obviously, the world has changed the last few years. We used to have quite a bit of business in the U.S. That's a little bit out the window now. You've got to look for work where it is. Asia is where it is.”
Els is right in regards to giving work the highest priority, but he needs to focus on the bid which he placed in 2010. The PGA Grand Slam winner is eyeing the world number one spot and for that, careful planning is the key element.
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