Ernie Els heads to St Andrews in October with the belief that he still has the game to win at an event that has so far eluded him – the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
‘A win at the Home of Golf feels very sweet and I was lucky enough to experience that as part of the South African team,’ said Els, who enjoyed success as a member of the South African team in the old Dunhill Cup, the precursor tournament to the Alfred Dunhill Links, winning with Retief Goosen and David Frost.
‘It would obviously be nice to have done that in the Dunhill Links, which is a championship I would 100 per cent love to win.
‘Ever since they introduced this format back in 2001, with pro’s playing with amateurs, it’s been one of my favourite weeks of the year. I love Scotland, the fans are the best, and we get to play on three amazing links courses.
‘It’s always a thrill to play the Old Course and I feel blessed that it’s been such a constant part of my career, not only in Dunhill Cups and Alfred Dunhill Links Championships, but in the five Opens that I’ve played there.’
Now 47, Els is moving into the twilight of his career at the top of the game, but the hunger remains the same.
‘I haven’t played my best stuff the last couple of years, but I still love the challenge, the practising, working hard on my game and competing. I’ve still got the hunger. Hopefully I can get something going soon, and then who knows. I still believe I have the game to win.’
Els has fallen short twice at the event – the first when Paul Lawrie sank a monster putt on the 18.
‘It looked like it might be enough for at least a play-off, but then Paul Lawrie drained a 40-footer from the Valley of Sin to beat me by a shot.
‘Again in 2003, I shot 20-under, finishing with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th, but again got beaten by a shot by Lee Westwood. I’m still speaking to them, though,’ he said with a smile.
‘I was also very close to winning the Team Championship with my dad Neels. That would have been very special,’ he added.
