Els enjoyed his licence to thrill
Faldo.
And Els won’t be alone as he shares his milestone with long-time rival Phil Mickelson‚ who also brings up his century at Quail Hollow.
The pair have a long history going back to 1984 when they competed at the World Junior Championships where Els prevailed.
In 2004 it was Mickelson who birdied the 72nd hole at Augusta‚ with a curling 12ft putt to win the Masters by a stroke from Els.
It was the American left-hander’s first major in his 47th start at one of the big four‚ but he has never forgotten the sight of Els when they competed in 1984 as two skinny teenagers.
“I remember that final round‚” Mickelson‚ seated next to Els‚ said on Tuesday at Quail Hollow Club.
“I remember a shot you hit in the final round on number three.
“It was a par-five‚ and you had it about 30 yards short of the green and you hit this little skipping‚ spinning wedge shot that checked up about a foot from the hole. And that’s when I knew you were going to be a good player.” And what a player Els has been. He won the 1994 US Open in only his eighth major start and claimed the US Open again in 1997. He added the 2002 Open at Muirfield and followed that with a stunning 2012 Open triumph at Royal Lytham.
In 99 previous majors‚ Els has won four‚ which highlights just how difficult winning one of golf’s big tournaments is.
Els’ prime years also overlapped with the phenomenal rise of Tiger Woods‚ which also cost Els a shot at several more majors while losing the 2004 Open playoff to journeyman Todd Hamilton must rank as his most disappointing major defeat.
“When Tiger came in ’97‚ and won the Masters in the way he did‚ you know‚ that kind of threw me off a little bit‚” Els admitted.
“I thought I was really one of the top players‚ which I was‚ but that was a pretty special display of golf.
“I had quite a few run-ins with him in majors. It wasn’t really very close‚ but I finished second to him many times.
“Personally‚ I could have won a couple more.” obviously
But through it all Els has enjoyed the competition and the sensation of being in the hunt at the biggest of all tournaments.
“[The biggest thrill] is just to be able to compete and to be able to be in contention‚” said Els.
“I can’t tell you the feeling that gives us as players to have a chance to actually be able to win one of these events.
“You know‚ obviously‚ Phil has had a great time winning five. I’ve won four.
“But we’ve been in the hunt‚ so to speak‚ many‚ many other times and it didn’t quite come off. But you know‚ it’s a hell of a thrill.”
Els also had to contend with offcourse issues in his life such as son Ben’s autism. Els and his wife Liesel have spent countless hours raising funds through his “Els for Autism” charity.
Mickelson was effusive when praising Els when asked what he thought about Els’ career.
“I think about what he’s done for Els for Autism‚” said Mickelson.
“I think that’s the legacy he’s leaving where he’s changing the lives and impacting a lot of lives that go through autism.
“His facility that he built is just astounding. I think that’s kind of the legacy that I see when I think of Ernie Els.
“As far as a player‚ obviously he’s got the sweetest‚ smoothest‚ most beautiful‚ aesthetically pleasing golf swing you could ever imagine. It was a pleasure to watch.” — DDC