Ernie Els has been using the Golf Channel archives for some mental therapy as he battles to get back on top of his game in time for the US Open in Oakmont on Thursday.
The big South African’s career took off when he won in a play-off in Oakmont in 1994 when he was just 24 years old in what was just his second US Open.
The golfing world lay at his feet and while Els has gone on to win two more Majors, there is always a tinge of regret surrounding him that he has not fully maximised his huge potential.
More recently, Els was sidelined for six months in 2005 after damaging his left knee in a jet-skiing accident and it has been a long fight back to full fitness for him since then.
Returning to Oakmont, the 37-year-old said, could provide the confidence booster that he needed and he tuned in to the Golf Channel’s replay of his 1994 triumph this week to try and refresh his memory.
”Obviously watching the US Open a lot of good memories come flowing back,” he said.
”I’ve had a pretty tough time of it the last year or two and I need a bit of a spark.
”It’s great coming back here. A lot of people have come in with their US Open 1994 caps and I’m signing it for them.
”They were here then and are here again. Hopefully that can spark me into something good. I would rank it as the best of any of my wins, really.”
Els said that his form of late had given him some cause for optimism even if he is without a win all year and missed the cut in the Masters.
But he was still looking for the magical touch with the putter that he says was the key to his success back in 1994.
”I’ve been hitting it pretty well the last couple of weeks,” he said.
”I’ve made a lot of birdies, but I’ve also made some incredible numbers too.
”But I’ve been working hard at it, especially on the putter. I’m sleeping with my putter now — just trying to get a good feel for it!”
There were words of encouragement for Els from world number one Tiger Woods, who said he was full of admiration for the way he had battled back after the knee injury that cut him down in his prime.
”When you rupture knee ligaments and you have reconstructive surgery, it’s not something you come back from right away,” he said.
”But we’re seeing signs that Ernie is starting to play a little bit better. He’s made a few changes but I think that overall you can see the talent he has.
”Anyone will admit that once he gets going, he can pretty much win any tournament.”
Els tees off on Thursday in his 15th US Open in the company of Masters champion Zach Johnson and top European hope Padraig Harrington. — Sapa-AFP