Ernie Els still talks of being ranked number one.
Vijay Singh holds that spot, with Masters champion Tiger Woods just behind. Els is number three, but he could make up ground if he wins the BMW Championship on Sunday on the West Course at Wentworth.
”Vijay without a doubt should be number one the way he’s been playing the last two or three years,” Els said Tuesday. ”But Tiger, the way he won the Masters, just shows you how phenomenal he is.
”But obviously, there’s a lot of golf to be played, and if I can play to my form, maybe I can get my head in there.”
Els has never won this tournament, but he’s won the World Match Play a record six times on the same course. Els lives just off the 16th hole, so nobody knows the course better.
Els has played poorly in only one tournament this season — the Masters. He had the flu the week before, but he is not offering excuses.
”To be honest, I wasn’t feeling great. I wasn’t healthy but I’m not going to make excuses. I just didn’t play well,” he said.
Otherwise, he’s been almost perfect. He started the season on the United States tour, finishing third in the Mercedes Championships and second at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Singh won both the Mercedes Championships and the Sony Open.
On the European tour, he won twice in the Middle East — Dubai and Qatar — and once in China.
”The places where the European tour has gone, we’ve had some good weather and I think the golf courses have probably suited me,” he said. ”I’ve been playing well recently and I’m enjoying the way I’m playing again.”
Els has never won the BMW. He has finished second three times, and has twice been fourth.
He’s hoping the home-course advantage helps.
”It makes a huge difference being at home,” he said. ”I mean, 99% of my tournaments are away from home.
”So, sleeping in your own bed with your family around, it’s just a blessing,” he added.
Luke Donald, one of the stars of Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last year, has returned to Europe from the US tour to play this event.
He’s a much stronger player than he was last year before a successful stint on the European Tour earned him two victories and a Ryder Cup wild-card spot.
Donald, ranked number 12, has done everything but win this year.
”I was second in the Players Championship, third in the Masters and second in the Buick. The one thing missing is a win but I have played very well, especially in the big ones,” he said.
”I think good things make you more confident. I definitely go out there now to win events and I feel like I am one of the top players in the world.” — Sapa-AP