Golf-Victorious Els finds answers in hard work (Reuters)
March 15, 2010
By Simon Evans
MIAMI, March 14 (Reuters) – When Ernie Els finished tiedfor 67th in the Honda Classic last week he responded in theonly way he knew how—he picked up a bucket of balls and wentout on the range.
The tall Els practised until dark on the Sunday and did thesame the next day until he discovered that he needed to adjusthis set-up to the ball.
“I found something just before dark and I couldn’t wait toget out her and try it. I kept working on it and basically byThursday I started getting a bit of an idea,” he said.
He put the idea into practice and on Sunday the 40-year-oldSouth African claimed his first tour win in two years in theWGC-CA Championship at Doral.
Els’s last victory, at the Honda two years ago, ended afour year barren spell for him at U.S tour events but while hetalked up his chances then, this time he is striking aconsidered tone.
“I said a bit too much last time I won,” Els said after hebeat compatriot Charl Schwartzel by four strokes on Sunday.
“I was a bit too cocky. I want to just enjoy this one. Thistook so much work to win.
“A lot of people have said that the older you get, thetougher it becomes to win and that’s very true.
“I’m 40 years old and it feels like in my twenties I had somany chances and I didn’t quite take them,” he said.
Els suffered a serious knee injury in 2005 and his winsslowed down in the years that followed, but with hisconsistently quality display at Doral he showed he still hasthe ability to beat the best.
“When you are older you don’t get so many chances, soyou’ve got to try and take them when they come.
“This is nice. I will have a bit more confidence now, I’msure, but I just want to keep working hard.
“I know what works for me now and that’s hard work. So I’llkeep working hard. But to be back in that group of players whoare really performing well, I feel honoured.”
Els has won three majors and 17 victories on the PGA Tourand with the U.S Masters less than a month away, he has causefor confidence but insists this time that practice, notpredictions, will be his style.
“Last time I won, two years ago, I got all carried away andI thought I was going to win Augusta. This time I just want totake this in. It’s great but next week I am going to work hardagain.
“I’ve got really get these things drilled out a bit moreand really be comfortable with it and get my ball flightperfect for Augusta.”
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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