Els hurting after disastrous finish costs him Masters spot

MIAMI: Ernie Els was still hurting a day after his bogey–bogey finish at the PGA Transitions Championship cost him a victory and a spot in next month’s Masters, he said in a Monday blog on the US PGA website.

The South African star, a three–time Major champion who has never won the Masters, led by a stroke on the 17th tee but took a bogey and then missed a short putt on the 18th green to miss out on what became a four–man playoff.

“I always play to win, so any time I get the opportunity to do that and don’t get the job done, obviously I’m disappointed and angry with myself,” Els said. “I was so hot I found it difficult to even think straight.

“I’ve had a night to sleep on it, though. It still hurts the way I finished the tournament, but I know in my heart how well I played all week.

“I have to believe that if I keep doing what I’m doing, the results will reflect that and I’ll give myself plenty more opportunities to win.”

The 42–year–old nicknamed “Big Easy” for his relaxed manner admitted that he tensed up on the 18th green and botched the pivotal putt with so much riding on the stroke.

“That putt on 18, well, it kind of leaves a nasty taste,” Els said. “It’s a difficult green, but I should have made it. I was trying to jam it in there and I just pulled it, simple as that.”

Britain’s Luke Donald birdied the first playoff hole, the 18th, to win the playoff and reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from Northern Ireland’s Rory Mcilroy.

Els was ranked 62nd on Monday and must either win one of the next two PGA events – this week at Bay Hill and next week in Houston – or reach the top 50 in the rankings to book a Masters berth at Augusta National, where he finished second twice.

“If I’m going to secure my place in the Masters I may have to win, or at least come very close, in one of my next two tournaments,” Els said.

“The nice thing is I’ll go into both of those tournaments knowing my game is pretty much right where I need it to be in order to compete and get in the mix again.

“And next time I like to think I can finish the job off.”