South Africa’s world number two Ernie Els is playing so well he would beat world number one Tiger Woods at the moment, Australia’s Robert Allenby declared here on Friday.
Allenby, 16th in world rankings, made the assessment after firing an eight-under par 64 in the 2,85-million Australian dollar (US$1,68-million) Johnnie Walker Classic here.
”Els is definitely the man to beat at the moment,” said Allenby, who last year sealed a place in the top 20 on the US PGA Tour’s money list for the third consecutive year with eight top 10 finishes.
”Tiger has not been playing, but that does not matter. If he had been, I still think Ernie would win the tournaments.
”He is just playing in awesome fashion. He is swinging great, he is putting well — and he has a lot of confidence going. At the moment, he is really tough to beat at whichever tournament he tees up in. He is hitting the ball a long way and he is hitting it very straight.
”The par fives for him are quite short. When you are hitting irons into all the par fives, if you get a good drive away, you can make some eagles.”
Woods is planning to get back into the competitive swing after a knee operation forced him to miss the first five tournaments of the season.
Woods’ return to the PGA Tour was delayed on Thursday after rain and fog rendered the Torrey Pines golf course, in San Diego, unplayable.
Els (33) has had five wins from his past seven starts. He had a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Classic. – Sapa-AFP