Ernie Els is banking on his experience of Augusta National as he attempts to win all four Majors.
With the British and US Opens already safely on his record book, the 34-year-old South Africam makes no secret that he desperately wants a Masters title and a PGA Championship.
”Thats my target, my goal over the next 10 years,” says Els.
”That’s what I’d like to do. That will be the perfect world for me.”
As for this week, Els has no doubts where to look for the the winner.
”You have to look at the guys who have experience around here,” he said.
”I think my game is getting there. The putter feels good this week. I’m feeling good about this week,” he added.
Els agrees that the course is going to be playing the toughest it has for years because of the firm fairways and lightning-fast greens — and it delights him.
”The tougher the conditions the course the better. I’ve won on tough courses before. Oakmont, it played similar and obviously Muirfield and some other British Open courses where it’s really been firm,” said Els.
Despite winning twice this season, once on the US Tour and once on the European Tour, he admits he has not been playing his best golf.
But he insists that his performances pre-Majors is no clue as to how he will perform.
”This year I’ve played reasonably well. I’ve had a couple of good wins. The last three weeks has not been up to my standard but I’ve been working hard,” he said.
”At Congressional [1997 US Open], I missed the cut the week before — kind of a wake up call. You’ve got to get your game in shape and you’ve only got a limited time, so I did that,” he added. – Sapa-AFP