/ 1 December 2007

Ernie believes he can still catch Tiger

Ernie Els believes he still has what it takes to catch Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings.

The South African is one year into his stated three-year plan to catch Woods, and believes he’s made significant strides towards this goal in 2007.

”I feel I’ve made some improvements,” Els said after working his way to within three strokes of the Nedbank Golf Challenge lead of Trevor Immelman and Justin Rose, who were on 11-under-par after Friday’s second round.

”I’ve got new equipment from Callaway and I feel my equipment has come a long way. The swing is pretty sound now. I had some chances in a few Majors. I just need to keep working and improving my putting, especially under pressure. Tiger has got an edge on me on the greens.

”But I’ve got two years left of my promise. Obviously I’ve got to win tournaments, and big ones, and keep moving up the world rankings.”

This is the first of three end-of-year tournaments Els will play in South Africa. After Sun City he will play in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Airways Open, both of which form part of the European Tour’s 2008 season.

And Els says he desperately wants to claim a victory in at least one of them.

”I want to end my 2007 season on a high note. I would love to get a win on South African soil. I’ve got six weeks off after the South African Open and that will be my break. So I feel like I still want to get some more out of this year.” — Sapa