The United States PGA Tour returns to the Congressional Country Club this week for the Booz Allen Classic, marking the first visit since South Africa’s Ernie Els captured his second major title in brilliant fashion in the memorable 1997 US Open.
While most players raved about the condition of the golf course and the quality of the field for the tournament, which starts on Thursday, no man was happier to return than Els, who secured a one-shot victory over Colin Montgomerie with a spectacular come-from-behind performance that year.
Around a replica of the silver US Open trophy, housed behind thick glass at a clubhouse entrance near the men’s locker room, a collection of pictures of Els hoisting the infamous trophy on that Father’s Day in 1997 echoes that memorable occasion for the South African number one.
”The memories are fond memories,” Els said on Tuesday, shortly before teeing off for a late practice round at the Congressional’s Blue course. ”I was 27, and it seems like just yesterday. I remember a lot of shots I made, and when I made the putt at 18, it’s probably the most emotion I’ve ever shown.”
Tied with playing partner Montgomerie after 16 holes, Els hit a three-wood off the tee into the fairway, and then hit a five-iron into the 17th green.
”That was probably one of the best shots I’ve ever played under pressure,” Els recalled. He two-putted from 12 feet while Montgomerie made bogey.
”I will remember that five-iron for a long, long time.”
Since 1997, the world number three has added an Open Championship title to his major championship collection, and has come a close second six times.
In 2004, Els lost by a shot in the Masters when Phil Mickelson made his 18-footer at the final hole to capture his first major title, and then lost to journeyman Todd Hamilton at the Open at Royal Troon in a four-hole aggregate play-off.
This year, Els has stuck to his typical international schedule, globe-trotting to three victories on the European tour in Qatar, Dubai and China, with five top-five finishes in his seven starts on the circuit.
With homes in London, South Africa and Orlando and the recent purchase of a new G5 jet plane that will be delivered next June, it seems to indicate his travelling days are far from over.
”As a whole, I’ll keep travelling,” Els said. ”That is my brand. I play worldwide golf — I guess Gary Player and myself. It’s just hard to play in one place and it gets harder being away from home.
”My little girl is just having a bath now. We’ve made a conscious decision that I won’t be away from home more than two weeks.
”But even guys in America, even if you live in Florida, you’re still away. Two hours or 10 hours, it’s still away. It’s a tough life we lead. You’ve just got to deal with it.”
But the travelling seems to have taken its toll on Els. He comes into this week without a PGA Tour win to his name this season and is still struggling to find his form on US soil.
But there can be no doubt of his intentions to change that statistic, sooner rather than later.
Only time will tell, but perhaps the inspiration of the Blue Course at the Congressional may be all the motivation he needs. — Sapa