Els happy to be back at Masters

FOR almost 20 years, Ernie Els had a standing invitation to the Masters. Last year, his name was not on the guest list.

This year he is back after a surprise victory at the 2012 British Open gave him a get-in-free card for the next five years.

“That’s all you can ask for at my age,” the 43-year-old said. “To be able to play with the top players in the world at this level for the next five years means the world.”

From the first time he played here, there has been something about Augusta National that agrees with Els. He tied for eighth in his debut in 1994. He has been runnerup twice — in 2000 and 2004 — and never finished lower than sixth in the years in between.

“I feel when I’m on my game, this place is perfect for me because it really tests your everything,” he said. “Your mental strength, your patience. And then, physically, you’ve got to drive the ball, irons as well, chip and putt — all of that stuff. You can’t fluke winning it.”

As difficult as it is to win, it is almost as tough to get in.

For 18 consecutive years, that was not a problem for Els. His Major championships — he won the 1994 and 1997 US Opens as well as the 2002 British Open — earned him five-year exemptions, and it was a rare year when he was not in the top 20 on the PGA Tour.

But after winning twice in 2010, his career began a downward spiral. He was winless in 2011, and missed the cut at the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship. His only top-10 finish was a fourth at the Frys.com Open, a Fall Series event when most of the golf world has already wound down for the season. Els knew he would have to scramble early in the 2012 season to reclaim his spot at the Masters, and he was in the top five at the Transitions Championship and Bay Hill. Needing a win at the Houston Open to get to Augusta National, he finished in a tie for 12th.

For the first time since 1993, he spent the Masters week at home.

Two weeks after the Masters, Els had a 6-foot putt to win on the first hole of a playoff with Jason Dufner. It never had a chance, but it was a sign that the big South African still had plenty of game.

He had an outside shot at the US Open until a poor wedge shot on 16 in the final round. Then, at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Els birdied his final hole and went to the clubhouse, fully expecting Adam Scott to hold onto his lead.

But Scott unravelled, closing with four straight bogeys and all but handed the claret jug to Els.

It may not have been exactly the way Els envisioned returning to the top of the game, but it did not matter. Sapa-AP