South Africa’s world number two Ernie Els said on Friday he will be defending his Heineken Classic golf title in Australia next February despite his conflict with the United States PGA Tour.
Els has been under pressure to compete more often on the US PGA Tour and less abroad, but said while competing at the World Match Play Championship in England this week that he would be coming to Royal Melbourne for the co-sanctioned Australasian and European Tour event.
”I am committed to the Heineken Classic for another year and I am looking forward to defending my title at Royal Melbourne,” Els told Australian Associated Press on Friday.
Els captured a second straight Heineken Classic title earlier this year after he set an opening round course record of a 12-under par 60.
Els travelled to Australia after contesting the US Tour’s season-opening Mercedes Championship and the following week’s Hawaiian Open.
He will again contest the opening two events in Hawaii before journeying to Melbourne for the Heineken Classic.
The US Tour has put the stipulation on Els and compatriot Retief Goosen to play 20 US Tours events, whereas a European-born member need only contest 15 to retain automatic membership.
”You cannot believe the tone of the latest letter they sent me,” Els said.
”The US Tour needs to understand the golfing world has changed through the years.
”There’s a world outside America and I’m part of it and they can’t restrict me from playing where I want to play.”
The Heinken Classic is scheduled for February 3-6, 2005. – Sapa-AFP