Rebula success takes Uncle Ernie back to the Masters
Ernie Els is returning to the Masters – but he will be at Augusta in the role of mentor and chief cheerleader for his nephew. Jovan Rebula yesterday qualified for the major which has always eluded his uncle by winning the Amateur Championship.
And the perks do not end there. His 3&2 victory over Ireland’s Robin Dawson in the 36-hole match at Royal Aberdeen saw Rebula, 21, land a place in next month’s Open Championship as well as the US Open at Pebble Beach next June.
Els, twice a winner of the Claret Jug, will, of course, also be in the field at Carnoustie, and the pair playing practice rounds together next month will provide a great deal of family pride.
Rebula is the first golfer from his country to lift the amateur title – which was first played 133 years ago – since Bobby Cole in 1966.
He was in an emotional mood and that was hardly surprising considering the fact that in this six-day golfing marathon he came through six match-play encounters as well as two stroke-play rounds to qualify.
“It’s unreal. Being able to etch my name into history is an unbelievable feeling,” Rebula said. “It hasn’t sunk in quite yet. I’m shattered. It’s been a long week – and especially today.
“I should have finished maybe a couple of holes earlier, but it’s been awesome. There’s so much adrenalin pumping through me.”
His Open appearance is an experience he is relishing. “I’ve never played Carnoustie and am really looking forward to it,” he said. “I am just going to go out and enjoy the experience. My uncle being there will make it even more special.”
Rebula took a one-up advantage in the morning and then stretched to fiveup with nine holes to play.
There was a little wobble when Rebula – who is in his second year in college in Alabama – missed a threefooter for the half and victory on the 14th and when Dawson won the 15th there was a sliver of hope for the 22-year-old from Tramore. But Rebula parred the 16th to close out the contest.
“If you offered me finishing second at the start of the week I would have definitely taken it,” Dawson said. “But when you get so close it’s frustrating so I have a lot of mixed emotions.
“I wasn’t really clawing my way back into it in the end [as] Jovan was giving holes away. But to be fair to him, it was a great up-and-down on the 16th to win it. He’s definitely a very worthy winner this week.”
At the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, England’s Paul Casey moved tantalisingly in sight of his second title of the year after moving four shots clear courtesy of a brilliant 62.
Casey’s nearest pursuer is the American Russell Henley on 12-under with Rory McIlroy four further back after a 71.
Martin Kaymer showed a welcome return to form with a 71 that took him into a six-way share of the lead on five under at the BMW International Open in Pulheim.