GOLF NEWS:ERNIE ELS returns this week to the scene of one of his sweetest wins – and one of his biggest blunders. The former British Open and double US Open champion is the star attraction in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga.
The opening event of the new European Tour season, Els is seeking his first victory since March last year on the course where he triumphed by three at the end of 2005.
What made that special was that it was only his second tournament back from serious knee surgery following a sailing accident that summer. “It’s a dream – after an injury like that you’re unsure of the future and how it will react,” said the South African.
On his last visit two years ago, however, Els was two ahead on the final tee and then incredibly twice found the lake, ran up a triple bogey eight and handed the title to a surprised John Bickerton.
Water on the 18th has cost him dear since then as well. Only two months later he needed a closing birdie to force a play-off with Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic but took six.
And last month at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai he finished with a course record-equalling 63, but lost by one to Phil Mickelson after dumping his approach to the par five last in the drink and running up a bogey again.
The nightmare two years ago might be something he wants to forget, but one of his playing partners in the opening two rounds just happens to be Bickerton.
Compatriot Richard Sterne is the defending champion, having beaten England’s Robert Rock and Swede Johan Edfors by a shot last December.
Shane Lowry is hoping to use this week’s tournament and next week’s South African Open championship to improve his world ranking of 138. Lowry leads a five-strong Irish contingent that includes Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Gary Murphy.
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