Els backs Scott for return to top 20

ERNIE Els is certain Adam Scott will be a world top 20 golfer again and in no need of a helpful captain’s pick to be a Presidents Cup force at Royal Melbourne next year.

The former world No.1 has drifted to No.65 in the rankings after a winless two years, yet has shown a highly encouraging spike in recent form with rounds of 65 (twice) and 64.

A high finish is essential for Scott at the Memorial tournament in Ohio, starting tonight, to push into the Top 60 and secure a spot in the US Open in two weeks.

Aussies Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith would be among the eight automatic picks if the Internationals team was selected today.

As captain, Els would need to use one of his four discretionary picks to get Scott aboard for his ninth Presidents Cup, because the Queenslander is only the 16th-best International on rankings.

Els recently played a practice round with Scott in Dallas and saw all the signs of a motivated figure who was better organising golf around being a father-of-two.

“I’ve been watching Scotty and he’s striking the ball unbelievably,” Els said.

“He’s gone back to the long putter and looked far more comfortable after difficulties with the short one.

“He’s a top 20 player and I’m really looking forward to him coming through.”

Four-time major winner Els, 48, is taking teenage daughter Samantha to the Fiji International in August, when he will be the star attraction at the spectacular Natadola Bay.

He’s been through the juggle that Scott is going through with two young children.

“It’s demanding coming from the southern hemisphere … Scotty has been trying to spend a lot of time in Australia (with his children) and he’s been back and forth,” Els said.

“He’s playing a lot more now (in the US), getting a new plan going and he’s just about there, which will make it easier to perform on the golf course.”

Els has never played in Fiji and is excited to add another nation to his map of world stops on August 2-5.