European Tour gives Els life membership

The South African Ernie Els has been awarded life membership of the European Tour in recognition of his two US Open victories…

The South African Ernie Els has been awarded life membership of the European Tour in recognition of his two US Open victories and three successive wins in the World Match Play Championship.

He beat Britain's Colin Montgomerie and the American Loren Roberts in a play-off to take the US Open at Oakmont in 1994 then defeated Montgomerie by one shot to take the title at Congressional three years later.

Els, who has won 25 professional events worldwide including four European Tour titles, said: "I am thrilled to be given this accolade, especially as it comes from my peers."

Els is only the fourth non-European to be awarded honorary membership, the others being Gary Player, the American Arnold Palmer and the New Zealander Bob Charles.

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