Ernie Els's Biography
Golfer Ernie Els was born Theodore Ernest Els on October 17, 1969 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He lives in Wentworth, England.
Ernie Els won the world under 14 title at San Diego, California and turned professional in 1989.
In 1992, in his early twenties, Els not only won his first tournament as a professional golfer but he matched the feat of fellow South African, Gary Player, by achieving a hat-trick of South African Open, PGA and Masters titles.
In 1994, Ernie Els won his first Major, the US Open Championship, after a three-way 18-hole play-off and a two-way two-hole sudden death play-off.
Ernie Els has been consistently ranked in the top five golfers in the world. 2004 was another good year for Els when he won the Volvo Order of Merit for a second successive season.
Normally very laid-back, Ernie Els was outspoken in May 2004 with his opposition to belly-putters.
"I think nerves and skill in putting are part of the game and you should take a tablet if you can't handle it," said Els.
Ernie Els missed out on most of 2005 having injured his knee on a sailing holiday.
In December 2006, Ernie Els won the South African Airways Open to maintain his record of winning at least one tournament a year since 1991. It was Els's 62nd win as a golf professional.
In March 2007, Ernie Els amicably left his deal with Acushnet and agreed an equipment deal with Callaway Golf.
In the summer of 2007, Els continued to get back to form and achieved a fourth place at the Open and a third at the USPGA.
In October 2007, Ernie Els won the World Match Play title for the seventh time.
The Ernie Els Foundation was formed in 1999 to provide support to disadvantaged children.
On 2 March 2008, Ernie Els won his first PGA tour title for three years, four months and 28 days when he beat Luke Donald by a stroke to take victory in the Honda Classic.
