If you have not put a bet on Ernie Els to win at least one major this year, you might want to get one on now.
The problem is, the odds will have shortened dramatically after his exploits so far this season.
Last month Els won the Dubai Desert Classic for his second victory in seven days. A week earlier he had started the final round of the Genuity Championship on the United States Tour with an eight-shot lead over Tiger Woods. Els struggled but squeezed out a two-shot victory even though Woods threw a 66 at him.
Els last won back-to-back titles in 1997, when he took the US Open and followed that up with victory in the Buick Classic.
Els also won on the South African leg of the European tour. Woods might be the world’s number one golfer on paper, but Els is obviously the man of the moment.
“So far so good,” was Els’s assessment of his year. “I’ve had a really good start to my season. I’ve won three times and I’m enjoying it.”
The South African is hitting form at just the right time. Els has re-dedicated himself to his game in an attempt to add to his tally of two US Open titles. The hard work is obviously paying off. The Masters is only a month away, and though Woods will be the bookies’ favourite, the smart money will be on Els to add a green jacket to his trophy cabinet.
“The real build-up starts now. I played Augusta a couple of weeks ago to see the changes. I’ve got form and I’ll be ready for it.”