South African Open Tees off tomorrow: Ernie Els excited
The South African Open is scheduled to take place at Durban Country Club in South Africa. Being the 100th edition of the tournament, this event is very crucial. Co- sanctioned by the Sunshine tour it is so dear to South
African players that some of them even consider it to be a major. One of the South Africans especially eager to tee off at the open is four-time South African Open winner, Ernie Els.
Ernie claimed his first SA Open win in 1992 and the victory marked his uprising. Winning at the Houghton Golf Club, Ernie considers that the win made him worthy of being ranked amongst the professionals. He said that the win paved
his way to more events in Europe and the Open championship. At the Open championship that year, Ernie came in fifth place and hence was able to keep his European card.
Being eligible for the US Open next year, he finished seventh and then just a year later, Ernie won the US Open in 1994. Like a set of dominos, one win led to another and the South African Open was clearly the first domino to fall
for Ernie.
“So without the 1992 South African Open I would not have got into all those events and I maybe would not have had the career that I’ve had,”
he said. “The win in 1992 gave me a lot of confidence because, after I turned pro, I had a couple of years where I didn’t do much. I tried to get cards in the US and Europe but I won the SA Open and that set me on my professional career so it means
everything to me.”
The world number twelve is in amazing shape and is very eager to compete against fellow compatriots Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Charl Schwartzel and the Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen. A total of 156 players will take the field
tomorrow. The defending champion of the Open, Richard Ramsey will also be competing. Ramsey was in close contention with Els for the Open title last year. For Els, the defeat was a big disappointment since he let his countrymen down. For a tournament so crucial
in South Africa, a foreigner winning it would surely have been a big deal.
Since 2000, only two non South African players have won the Open. Along with Ramsey, Mathias Gronberg of Sweden has won the Open. Ramsey appreciates the history linked to the tournament.
Richard respects Els and Goosen, and considers them his role models. The defending champion also said that the layout of the Durban Country Club is not very easy and it will surely pose as a challenge to some players. Resembling
to the links course, the course can be a bit bouncy. Wind is also a factor to be taken into consideration in the tournament tomorrow and it is something the players need to watch out for.
Along with Els, Clark and Goosen are former winners of the Open as well. Clark has won the Open in 2002 and 2005, with both times the Open taking place at the Durban Country Club. Being ruled out as the favourite for tomorrow by
some, Clark said he does feel somewhat under pressure due to his previous wins. Tim also won the Players Championship this year, has plenty of confidence and he is hoping to go out on the course and have some fun.
All in all, Ernie will be the highest ranked player on the field tomorrow. Being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame this year, Els also won the PGA Grand Slam that took place in Bermuda. 2010 has been a pleasant year for
him and a win at the South African Open will just make it simply amazing.
With so much passion in all the players, the South African Open will definitely be one to follow.
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