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Back at the scene of his 2002 Open Championship success Ernie Els will tee it up for the 23rd time in a British Open when the 142nd Open Championship gets underway later this week at Muirfield, as he looks to win back-to-back titles at the event.
Els comes into his title defence on the back of a missed cut at last week’s Scottish Open, and the 43-year-old seemed a bit rusty with his game especially on the greens, which cost him dearly come the close of play on Friday.
He was due to take three weeks off after his winning at the BMW International Open in Germany leading up to the Open, but decided to add the Scottish to his schedule and used it as a chance to blow out the cobwebs.
The 2002 and 2012 Open Champion comes to a place he loves dearly in Muirfield, the scene of his 02′ triumph and with the last two British Open winners coming through the Scottish Open everything seems to fit into place for Els, who made it no secret saying how much he loves the East Lothian layout.
“The course looks very similar to what it did in ’02. It’s a little firmer but it’s a very similar golf course, it’s a great golf course. It is a true test,” he continued. “You got to have your driving, your iron play, your short game and your putting. Everything, so it is just, you know, you have got to have your wits with you.”
While Ernie is getting no younger at 43, his drive for success is still there, and with a strong South African contingent playing in this week’s Major he’s confident that the nation has a great chance of winning the title.
“I’m 43 now going on 44,” said Els.” I’m probably on the third stage of my career, but who cares, I feel, I really believe that I have a couple of majors left and as I say I think I can keep going.”
With the fast running links fairways, position off the tee will be oh so important this week at Muirfield. Providing that Els can bring his form from Munich and keep the ball in play and the putts drop unlike last week at Inverness, there’s no reason why ‘The Big Easy’ can’t contend again this year at a course he thrives at.