The ‘Big Easy’ returns to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf
South Africa’s Ernie Els conquered the British Open for the second time in his career after he made an outstanding comeback, joined with one of the worst collapse of all time by Adam Scott during the final round at the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club.
It was his overall fourth major championship victory and first since the 2002 Open Championship. The victory also allowed him to move to the 15th position in the Official World Golf Rankings and seventh in the FedEx Cup standings.
Besides all that, there was something that was more than just special to him, a spot in this year’s 30th PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
He will now join Masters Tournament winner Bubbа Watson, US Open champion Wеbb Simpson and US PGA champion Rory McIlroy at the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, scheduled from October 22 to 24, 2012.
The season-ending showcase event is played among the four major champions each year. A non-major champion in the ongoing season can only join the field if any major champion announces his withdrawal from the event.
In such case, the first alternate is then called to come and participate. The same thing happened in 2010, when the Masters champion Phil Mickelson opted out of the event and Els was given the chance to contend.
During the event, he fully capitalized on the opportunity and recorded three straight birdies in the final round against David Toms to turn a three-stroke deficit into a one stroke victory.
Therefore, his addition to this year’s edition is a big boost to the tournament. According to the Senior Director of Championships for the PGA of America, David Charles, Els has always been a great addition to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
He believes that if the South African succeeds in creating an impression as he did in 2010, fans will love to visit Bermuda and watch their favourite player contending once again in the event.
"Ernie Els is one of the greatest champions in the history of golf and always a crowd favourite, so he undoubtedly raises the value of a ticket to the Grand Slam," Charles said. "And if Ernie's visit is anything close to 2010, golf fans are in for a real treat".
People also remember Els’ 2010 participation in relation to his activities during a spot of cricket along with cricketing legend Brian Lara on the 16th tee. Both the sports people also played together in the Grand Slam Pro-Am event.
"The sight of the South African and West Indian playing cricket - and golf - together delighted fans. It was very memorable," said Andy Burrows, Chairman of the 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. "Ernie talked openly about what a great time he and his family had during their last visit to Bermuda. It will be a pleasure to host them again”.
Els has played 17 PGA Tour events so far and succeeded in recording 5 top-10 finishes including 4 top-5s.
In the starting stage of the current season, he was listed outside the top-50 players in the OWGR. Therefore, he did not get a chance to participate in the Masters Tournament, which was his first absence from the prestigious event in 18 years.
That was a time when he looked really disappointed and vowed that he will make a return and prove his worth, which he has already done.
According to the golf pundits, he can be the most dangerous player in this year’s Grand Slam because of his experience and past record in the event.
By and large, it will not be an easy job to take the ‘Big Easy’ down when he is at his peak. Moreover, the other three contenders will have to work really hard if they want to create any chance of getting close to him in the event this year.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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