Ernie Els has admitted that his mission to qualify for The Masters this year has been a huge early season motivator for him.
"Obviously, the Masters is right around the corner," said the 42-year-old South African, who needs to get back into the top 50 of the world after he fell out of the top 70 in a 2011 season he has characterised as "dismal".
"I've never really been in that position where I had to try and qualify for it because I've been fortunate enough to basically glide through and get in there. So I've got to do some work, and I think it's good for me. It will keep me focused – get me trying. I think that's a good thing."
Els is on the right track this year and has already moved back up to 65th in the World Rankings. The other way he can get in would be to win a PGA Tour event, which would make his fans back home in South Africa very happy.
The Big Easy is in the field for the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club this week, where he lifted the trophy in 1999 and would dearly love to do it again this year.
Els also managed to qualify for WGC-Matchplay Championship in two week’s time by default.
The field is only supposed to include the top 64 in the World Rankings, but No 11 Phil Mickelson is skipping the Matchplay, which opened a spot for Els.
"That's a nice break coming my way," said Els, who said he was "grateful" to be in the Matchplay field.
"I'll buy Phil a steak dinner this week, maybe send him a good bottle of Bordeaux or something," he added.
