| 21 September 2009 |
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 comments: 24
Ernie Els is running out of time – and events – to keep his amazing streak of 18 straight years with at least one tournament win running. The Mole is hoping for a late charge by the Big Easy to end an otherwise miserable year for SA golf fans.
To say it has been a disappointing year for SA golf lovers would be putting it mildly. In the shadow of the glorious success of the SA rugby and cricket teams, who top the world rankings, a few decent performances here and there don’t make up for a year of bitter disappointments culminating in the fact that right now, at 19th, the Goose is our highest-ranked golfer in the world.
Certainly the Mole doesn’t expect to see a South African Major champion every year, but one would at least hope that we would be in contention. And what about the rest of the season’s tournaments? Sure Sterne grabbed those two early wins on the home leg of the Euro Tour, but since then the poor guy has dropped off the radar. James Kingston is the only other SA winner on the Euro Tour and across the Atlantic, it’s only the Goose and Sabbo who have lifted a trophy.
More worrying for the Mole has been the slide of one Ernie Els. The Big Easy, with only a handful of events left on his calendar, is in danger of ending his winning streak of 18 years. Ok, so he has this week’s Tour Championship and we can surely add the Dunhill, SA Open and Nedbank Golf Challenge to his schedule, plus perhaps one or two big-money (appearance fees, not purses, that is) events in the East. That leaves Ernie with half a dozen or so events in which to grab a season-salvaging win.
In the October issue of Compleat Golfer, Ernie spoke about how he feels he has got his old swing back – the won that led him to three Majors and the world No 1 ranking. So the question the Mole has to ask is, can Ernie rally and get that elusive win before the year is over? The Mole would like to believe so.
Reader comments: (24)
•There are a few more wins in his bag
Whilst age and other reasons will prevent Ernie from being as consistant as in the past, he will still have a few golden weeks, especially when the putter starts working again.I have seen Ernie play and win in Melbourne and his lovely personality will have the golfing world on his side when that day comes. A great South African sportsman who we should all be very proud of **- and as Ernie once asked after his first US Open win " please be patient with me"
posted by: Graham on 2009/09/24
•talent
I was fortunate to grow up with EE and compete against him and HE is definatley the most talented golfer in the world today.INCLUDING Mr. WOODS.
posted by: Stone-age on 2009/09/23
•Inspiration
Ernie should take inspiration from Ben's affliction, it should give him an "I'll show them"-attitude. Don't use Ben as an excuse,Ernie, use him as an inspiration.You can do it!
posted by: jay zed on 2009/09/23
•Hunger?
Only Ernie knows deep down if he has the hunger or not. In my opinion, Ernie isn't playing enough - he's rusty in tournaments and makes soft drops, or play 2-3 bad holes per round - just look at the number of doubles on his card this year. Playing is very different to hitting balls on the range, even if you do spend 10hrs a day on the range. Got to be tough under fire.
posted by: Mac The Knife on 2009/09/23
•Not this year
Ernie is a great player but 2009 he is not hungry for wins.
posted by: Livison on 2009/09/22
•Ernie will come back!
Ernie is too good a player to fade away. He will be back. Life begins at 40.
posted by: John Moore - Hillcrest on 2009/09/22
•Maybe not this year..
I spot a resurgence in Ernies demeanour, he may not win this year, or still can, but he can win two or three times nexr year
posted by: Vic on 2009/09/22
•Is His Heart In It?
Watching Ernie - and we all so want him to play his best - he just seems to be going through the motions - someone close to him needs to put a rocket up his zoom pipe!!
posted by: Bruce on 2009/09/22
•Can he really?
I believe he has the "want" butnot sure he really has the wherewithall or the belief that he is up to the task. His putting is woeful at best right now and unless that improves drastically his chances are slim. Still my favourite golfer but not liking all the little "technical" fiddles and movements in his game. Here's hoping for a resurgence in 2010
posted by: Jock on 2009/09/22
•Putting
Old swing is back , needs more " won " putts !
posted by: Kobus on 2009/09/22
•ernie
what a waste of talent. if the man in black had this talent then nicklaus & palmer would not have slept at night.but you can't argue with all the money in the bank. ag shame!
posted by: haroldm on 2009/09/22
•Hunger has gone.
Ernie does not have the hunger to win might as well give up and stick to building cources.
posted by: Peter Umkomaas. on 2009/09/22
•lets hope so
unfortunatly with his sons afliction and his injury I think there are to many other things going on in his life.Tiger is fully focused on golf and it shows.That and the fact that his putter has been stone cold for a while now,even tiger doesnt win when his putter is not working.I would love him to prove me wrong but i think his best days are behind him
posted by: Ian on 2009/09/22
•LACK OF INTEREST
Has Ernie got the passion to win or not? I think he has too many irons in the fire. What drives him? He has enough money but does he have the will to succeed like Tiger does?
posted by: Peter on 2009/09/22
•Appearance Fees
Oh, so 5 million big ones US$ that is, is not a big prize money event. The Singapore Open, come on John, be more positive!
posted by: Scubaroo on 2009/09/22
•Does Mole read what he writes??
his old swing back – the won that led him to three Majors
posted by: alistair on 2009/09/21
•Still the best
Ernie is still our best SA golfer. Who is going to replace him ???
posted by: Jonesy Cape Town on 2009/09/21
• Who Els can DO IT
He still has many good years ahead of him, ALl the Great players have proved that they Still have it, come on Ernie only YOU can prove it to us all, keep on believing in yourself!!!!!
posted by: Woodge on 2009/09/21
•Get your putting back
When Ernie gets his putter working as in the past he will win. Tee to green he is still superb
posted by: Colin K on 2009/09/21
•Still A fan
Ernie is still one of the best I've seen and he has made it the last 30 in the Fedex.
posted by: Earl on 2009/09/21
•Injury * different mechanics
Injury causes different angles in the body, and seeing that Ernie injured his knee , that is a pivotal change. To recapture his old swing would be mechanically impossible! He has done enough though to be considered a great!
posted by: Matt on 2009/09/21
•Nothing to prove!!
Although Ernie has nothing to prove, I will, as for every tournament he plays in, sit in front of the Tellie until the wee hours of the morning! No pressure though, you are still one of SA's greatest ever!!
posted by: Björn van Oort on 2009/09/21
•Oh yeah!
I agree with Johan! I believe he can!! Come on son!!!
posted by: JeF on 2009/09/21
•You can do it
Come on Ernie you can do it.Show these guys what you are made of.
posted by: Johan on 2009/09/21
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