Ernie Els already has two US Open titles to his name and plays this week on an exemption granted by the USGA, meaning he tees off on Thursday without much weight of expectation.
The Hall of Fame golfer, who was on hand for his friend Retief Goosen’s induction earlier in the week, has spent much of the buildup giving on-course advice at Pebble Beach to his nephew, Jovan Rebula.
The years adding up to his career means that there’s an inevitable shift from Major contender to someone to look up to and lean on for advice.
‘My expectations are pretty low, but the hope is there,’ he said.
‘I just want to have a great week in my own way. And my nephew, if he can make the cut, it will be great, give him a lot of confidence.
‘He wants to become a professional golfer,’ he said of his nephew, who plays out of Auburn University.
‘This is a great learning ground, a great place for him to learn and see what it’s all about. It’s a good family bonding at a US Open.’
Els, who turns 50 in October, is looking forward to what life has to offer in the next phase of his career. Starting with the Champions Tour, and then of course captaining the Internationals at the Presidents Cup in December.
‘I think I’m going to transition well on to the other side and play some golf on the Champions Tour and go see some of my old friends. And I can be competitive again. That’s why I play the game. I love to compete. When your time is up, your time is up, and you can move on.’
