South African icon Ernie Els reflects on his 23rd visit to Augusta, his favourite Masters moments and what lies ahead, after playing out the final year of his exemption.
Els’ Masters career is under grave threat of being over after his last-place finish this year. He started the weekend +3, but rounds of 83 and 78 spoilt what many believe to be his Augusta swansong.
The Big Easy, however, is optimistic that he may yet return to the event in the future.
‘No, I think there’s still obviously a chance,’ said Els after his round on Sunday.
‘I’m still trying to win a Tour event to get to 20. And I’m 48 this year, so if I get back, great. Obviously, it’s not totally out of the picture, but if it is, it is.’
Fans should not rule out seeing the South African around the famed golf course, even if only as a spectator.
‘I wouldn’t put it out of a possibility [of returning], maybe I’ll come back, yeah, why not, I might come back and say hi to the guys and check it out. It will be special.’
With the top 50 in world rankings, recent Major winners and winners of select events invited back, the 383rd ranked golfer is at peace should he fail to add to his 23 appearances, especially with the good memories he has of his time competing for the elusive green jacket.
‘I got to go back maybe a decade or more,’ Els replied when asked for his favourite memories at Augusta.
‘No, I think the very first time was very special in 1994. I had a couple of really great groupings, I played with Ben Crenshaw that year, I played with Jose Maria in the third round that year, he went on to win. So, that was a great time.
‘And then, obviously, the times I came close. I think 2004 was a really special Sunday for myself. And just being here, it’s just a special feeling. The guys in the locker room are still the same guys, and the members I’ve met here through the years are the same people and they run an amazing event. So it’s just been a special, special time.
‘As I say, to have been a part of it for 23, 24 years is special. It’s a place where you dream to get to once or twice. And to do it for so long was great.’
For two decades Els has been mentioned in the favourites category for The Masters and all three other Majors, but now as the 48-year-old moves into the twilight of his career, he is more often being asked to discuss the chances of those at the top of the rankings, including good friend Rory McIlroy.
‘Well, I mean, he’s so young still. He’s played quite a few, he’s had a couple of chances already,’ said Els of the Northern Irishman’s Masters hopes.
‘It doesn’t seem like it’s burned him too much in the way he speaks about some of his close calls. And if he keeps a good attitude, I think he’s fine.
‘He has the perfect game for here. And whether you keep saying it or not, it’s a fact. And I’m sure he can win it. And if he gets that first one, he can win a few. I know we said this many, many times, but, and I do believe in him, because he’s got an all‑around great game and he’s longer than I was at that age. And you need to be really long around here.’
McIlroy finished inside the top 10 in 2017 and will return to Georgia next year, chasing the green jacket that would help him join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus,and Tiger Woods as the only career grandslam winners.
