GOLF: Jon Swift
A HUGE test awaits reigning US Open champion Ernie Els at Shinnecock Hills next week when the South African has to shake off all the momentous events of the past 12 months … and start all over again.
In many ways this will be a welcome factor for Els. For, as all the experts will tell you, a lot of baggage comes with a major title. Some of it is good, some of it only serves to divert the player from the basic business of winning tournaments.
Els has another plus factor going for him in the defence of the tilte that turned hm into a global superstar. And it is something he admits. “This year is different,” he says. “It’s going to be the biggest week of my life in many ways.”
What Els does have going for him is the links layout of Shinnecock Hills, a natural seaside course set among the dunes on Long Island with a history stretching back over 100 years.
Previous winner at Shinnecock, Ray Floyd, would be the first to admit that this is not 18 holes for the average American touring professional. It is a layout which demands both strength and imagination despite the yardage it lacks when measured against other US Open
There is also the almost certain prospect of changing weather, with the elements playing a role that is seldom the case in tournaments predominantly played further south. The stereotyped target golf which aims at consistent finishing on the US Tour rather than victory, ceases to be an attribute in changing
These are varied prospects which could hardly be daunting — no matter the stature of the tournament or the end goal — for Els. He has both strength and the ability to manufacture a shot. He also has three top five finishes in the British Open to his credit.
And, in essence, Shinnecock represents the closest the US PGA Tour can offer to a British Open venue and would bring players like Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Nick Price strongly into the reckoning.
Els also has the priceless ability to move the ball either way, an attribute which comes sharply into the reckoning when the wind shortens distance off the tee and squalls off the Long Island Sound narrow the fairways and slow down the greens.
Faldo is perhaps the biggest threat. The imperious Brit is back to his arrogant best and has always remained unfazed by the worst weather the European Tour has thrown at him.
But tough as the task of retaining the title is for Els, he will be in there fighting, using the natural ability and refusal to lie down which forced him to produce a staggering second round 61 and brought him such a memorable victory in the muggy heat of Texas during the Byron Nelson Classic.
“That round brought all my confidence back,” says Els, “and I’m really feeling good about my game right now.”
And, even if some of the baggage from last year’s victory still manges to cling to his broad shoulders, that sort of confidence spells bad news for anyone who wants to head Els at the end of next week