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Theodore Ernest Els was born in South Africa 1969 to Neels
and Hettie. Affectionately known as the 'Big Easy' because of his massive size,
and equally massive distance from the tee, as well as his smooth swing and
affable personality, Ernie has been a favourite on the US and European tours
since his emergence into the professional golf scene in 1989.
His first major followed in the 1994 US Open after a hard
fought playoff against
Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts. After the scores were draw between Els
and Roberts after the 18 hole playoff, he pushed through to victory after the
second sudden death hole.
In total Ernie has won a total of 38 events spread across
the
US and
European tours, and splits his time between the two.
The Big Easy is well liked in the UK and is famous for
owning a house that backs onto the Wentworth golf course where he is a member.
Ernie is endorsed by
Callaway Golf after
moving from Titleist.
Since revealing to the public that his son Ben Els is
Autistic, Ernie has been active in raising the awareness of Autism in children
and currently wears the logo of the charity
Autism Speaks on his golf apparel.
Ernie announced early in 2008 that he would be changing
coaches from fellow patriot David Leadbetter, to Butch Harmon, in order to
shorten his swing and gain a new perpective.
Career Wins
2011 - South African Open (played in December 2010)
2010 - WGC - CA Championship / Arnold Palmer Invitational / PGA Grand Slam of Golf
2008 - Honda Classic / King Hassan II Golf Trophy
2007 - South African Airways Open / HSBC World Match Play Championship
2006 - Dunhill Championship
2005 - Dubai Desert Classic / BMW Asian Open /Qatar Masters
2004 - Sony Open in Hawaii / Memorial / WGC - Amex Championship / Heineken Classic
2003 - Mercedes Championship / Sony Open in Hawaii / Heineken Classic / Johnnie Walker Classic
2003 - Barclays Scottish Open / Omega European Masters / HSBC World Match Play Championship
2002 - Genuity Championship / The Open Championship / Heineken Classic / Nedbank Golf Challenge
2002 - Dubai Desert Classic /Cisco World Match Play Championship
2001 - Vodacom Players Championship / World Golf Championships
2000 - Nedbank Golf Challenge / Standard Life Loch Lomand / The International
1999 - Nissan Open / Alfred Dunhill South African PGA Championship / NEwdbank Golf Challenge
1998 - Bay Hill International / South Aprican Open / Dunhill Links Championship
1997 - US Open Championship / Buick Classic / Johnnie Walker Classic / PGA Grand Slam of Golf / Worl Cup of Golf / Dunhill Links Championship
1996 - Buick Classic / South African Open / Toyota World Matchplay / Johnnie Walker Super Tour Event / World Cup of Golf
1995 - GTE Byron Nelson Classic / Toyota World Matchplay / Johnnie Walker World Championship / Sarazen World Open / US Open
1994 - Dubai Desert Classic / Toyota World Matchplay / Johnnie Walker World Championship
1993 - Dunlop Phoenix Tournament
1992 - Portea Assurance south African Open / South African Open / Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Classic / Lexington South african World Championship / First National Bank Players Championship / Goodyear Classic
1991 - Amatola Sun Classic