LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Just as the world rankings have become ultra-competitive since Tiger Woods lost the firm grip he once enjoyed at the top, next week's U.S. Open

New faces, familiar stars to collide at golf Masters

2011-03-30T20:30:30Z

A quarter-century after US legend Jack Nicklaus outdueled Spain's Seve Ballesteros to win the Masters at age 46, another American-European showdown is looming at MIAMI (Reuters) - Ernie Els came from three strokes behind with five holes remaining to win the end-of-season PGA Grand Slam of Golf by one shot in Ernie Els picks up an island win against faltering Toms

Ernie Els has won the PGA Grand Slam of Golf by making three straight birdies on the back nine for a 2-under 69 and a one-shot victory over David Toms.

Els was an alternate this ye...

Impact of British Open title starts to hit Oosthuizen

2010-08-03T15:31:41Z

Louis Oosthuizen knew winning the British Open was a big deal. The South African just didn?t realize quite how big.

"I think you?ve got this picture in your mind of what it?s going to be like after a major win, and it was 10 times what I expected," Oosthuizen said Tuesday ahead of the

Oosthuizen rides South African wave to Open triumph

2010-07-18T13:15:32Z

An outrageous 200-1 long shot he might have been, but looking back, all the omens were there this week for Louis Oosthuizen to play the best golf of his life and win the British Open.

First of all, 2010 has been billed as South Africa's year with the successful hosting of football's World Cup and then Sun...

Oosthuizen poised for Open glory

2010-07-18T04:15:34Z

Rank outsider Louis Oosthuizen stood on the cusp of British Open glory on Sunday, taking a four-stroke lead into the final round.

The 27-year-old South African carded superb rounds of 65, 67 and 69 to set up a 15-under par winning position and only England's Louis Oosthuizen stood on the cusp of British Open glory on Sunday, taking a four stroke lead into the final round.

The 27-year-old South African carded superb rounds of 65, 67 and 69 to set up a 15-under par, winning position and only England's Disappointment of US Open behind him, Ernie Els' game and mood in good shape for Old Course

Nothing like a trip to the Old Course to get Ernie Els out of his U.S. Open funk.

Els has been looking forward to coming to St. Andrews since he stormed out of Pebble Beach, enraged he'd let a chance ...

A lost opportunity at the US Open

2010-06-22T14:16:16Z

What might have been: Pebble Beach turns into a US Open where the stars don't shine

Even with 21 majors, they still had everything to gain by winning the U.S. Open.

For Tiger Woods, a chance to end six months of bad publicity with a 15th major. For A major deal: McDowell takes down the best, earns US Open title

There was the group of players he beat and the group of players he joined.

With his whole career in front of him and a U.S. Open title behind him, 30-year-old Graeme McDowell now goes about trying to be remembered more as the guy who knocked off

McDowell confident, cautious US Open leader

2010-06-19T14:15:59Z

Graeme McDowell took a two-stroke lead into the third round Saturday, but the Northern Irishman was well aware he had a long way to go to end Europe's 40-year US Open drought.

"I'm probably as ready to go into the weekend of a major as I've ever been," said McDowell, who won the

McDowell seizes US Open lead

2010-06-18T21:15:27Z

Graeme McDowell seized the second-round lead at the US Open as Masters champion Phil Mickelson surged into contention with the best round of the tournament.

After Northern Ireland's McDowell fired six birdies in a three-under 68 for thr...

McDowell leads as Mickelson charges at US Open

2010-06-18T19:16:08Z

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell fired six birdies in a three-under 68, setting the early target at the US Open with a three-under par 36-hole total of 139.

Then Phil Mickelson came out firing.

Mickelson, who couldn't muster a s...

Els has 1 weekend to erase 10 years of grief

2010-06-18T18:30:19Z

10 years later, Ernie Els needs 1 great weekend to erase all the bad memories

The memories aren't exactly pleasant, and Ernie Els has had to live with them for the better part of a decade now. Maybe that's why he seems so intent on making some new ones this week at Pebble Beach.

It was here 10 years ago that Tiger Woods will tee off in US Open with playing partners Ernie Els, Lee Westwood

Tiger Woods will play the first two rounds of next week's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach with a familiar foe.

Woods grouped with Els and Westwood at U.S. Open

2010-06-11T18:59:04Z

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - World number one Tiger Woods will launch his bid for a 15th major golf title at next week's U.S. Open in high-profile company with third-ranked Briton Lee Westwood and

Tiger's top spot is up for grabs, says Poulter

2010-05-19T07:45:52Z

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Ian Poulter believes anyone in the top 10 can topple Tiger Woods as world number one if the American continues to drop ranking points this year.

Woods went into self-imposed golfing exile for five months following re...

South African Els looks to rebound at Texas Open

2010-06-11T18:57:03Z

South Africa's Ernie Els, who has won twice this season, headlines the Texas Open which begins Thursday on the Oaks Course.

PGA earnings and FedEx Cup points leader Els is trying t...

Els headlines field for new-feel Texas Open

2010-06-11T18:57:01Z

Els heads field for Texas Open, which debuts at new course and kicks off 3-tourney Texas tour

It's the third-oldest event on the PGA Tour, but almost everything about this week's Texas Open has a new feel.

After 15 years at the Resort at La Cantera, the tournament on Thursday makes its debut at the Oaks Course at

Relieved Yang returns home a champion

2010-06-11T18:54:42Z

Yang Yong-Eun's latest European Tour triumph has put an extra spring in his step as he prepares to play in his home town Ballantine?s Championship this week.

The Korean icon said it would be "something special" when he tees off on Thursday in front of family and friends in the 2.9 million dollar showpiece at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju.

Yang cruised t...

Els has had enough of Masters misery

2010-06-12T05:02:19Z

Another year at the Masters, another flop, and Ernie Els says he has had enough. "I tell you it's killing me," he said after a third round of 75 quashed any remaining hopes he had for this year.

Making it all the more galling this time around is the fact that the big South African, six months into his fourth decade, came int...

Solid season has Big Easy at ease ahead of Masters

2010-06-11T18:54:16Z

After years of tough luck at the Masters, Els comes to Augusta National in winning form

Ernie Els shook hands with fans between holes, and stopped to take a picture with one on his way up the 17th fairway. He even posed with a "Flat Stanley" as he made his way to the putting gree...

Els leads South Africa's Magnificent Seven into Masters

2010-04-07T11:15:42Z

Three-time major champion Ernie Els, coming off two impressive triumphs and seeking his first Masters title, leads a South African magnificent seven into the year's first major championship.

Els won a World Golf Championships event at Doral and the Ernie Els cannot help but think about the greatest golf prize to elude him, the green jacket of a Masters winner which he seeks for a 17th time this week at Augusta National.

The 40-year-old South African star won the biggest...

Tiger circus ready to descend on Augusta National

2010-06-11T18:54:02Z

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) - The Tiger Woods circus rolls into Georgia amid much hype and speculation for next week's U.S. Masters where the disgraced world number one will make his highly anticipated return...

Houston Open offers last Masters tune-up

2010-06-11T18:27:18Z

A roster of Masters hopefuls will squeeze in one last tune-up before the year's first major when they tee it up at the Houston Open starting on Thursday.

Resurgent South African Ernie Els, who has won his last two events after a two year victory drought, is among the contenders, along with Els, Mickelson, Couples among those tuning up for Augusta in Texas

Ernie Els has won his last two starts and still thinks his game needs work.

Els is among the big names in a star-studded field at the Houston Open, an event that's embraced its niche as the run-up to next week's Masters.

The Big Easy has end...

Els makes it 2 wins in a row

2010-06-12T05:01:52Z

With the Masters looming, Els wins Bay Hill for 2nd straight victory

Two tournaments, two victories, and the Masters is only two weeks away.

Ernie Els is starting to believe this could be a big year.

First came a four-shot victory at Doral that ended...

Triumphant Ernie Els has Georgia on his mind at Bay Hill

2010-06-11T18:53:57Z

ORLANDO (Reuters) - Ernie Els had next week's U.S. Masters deeply etched in his mind as he put the finishing touches on a two-shot victory at the rain-hit Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday.

The South African will tee off at

Ernie Els holds nerve to win again at Bay Hill

2010-06-11T18:53:54Z

ORLANDO (Reuters) - Former champion Ernie Els survived a shaky finish to win his second consecutive PGA Tour title by two shots at the weather-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday.

Two strokes clear with four holes remaining when ...

Els wins by two shots at Bay Hill

2010-06-11T18:53:54Z

ORLANDO (Reuters) - Ernie Els survived a shaky finish to win his second consecutive PGA Tour title by two shots at the weather-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday.

Two strokes clear with four holes remaining when the tournament w...

Els holds off Schwartzel to win at Doral by 4

2010-07-21T13:36:39Z

Old 1, Young 0: Els holds off his South African protege Schwartzel to win CA Championship by 4

For maybe the first time in his life, Charl Schwartzel found himself rooting against Ernie Els.

Els had a 25-foot par putt on the 14th ...

Els beats Schwartzel in WGC-CA golf clash

2010-06-11T18:53:09Z

Ernie Els felt relief more than exhilaration after beating his house guest, South African countryman Charl Schwartzel, to win the 8.5 million-dollar CA Championship by four strokes.

"This means so much. I didn?t think it was ever going to happen again," ...

Victorious Els finds answers in hard work

2010-06-11T18:53:09Z

MIAMI (Reuters) - When Ernie Els finished tied for 67th in the Honda Classic last week he responded in the only way he knew how -- he picked up a bucket of balls and went out on the range.

The tall Els practiced until dark on the Sunday and did the same the next...

Mickelson has reached Tiger's level, says Els

2010-06-11T18:29:58Z

HONOLULU (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson, a four-times winner worldwide last year, can now be bracketed alongside top-ranked Tiger Woods in all departments of the game, according to Ernie Els.

Mickelson finished h...

Big Easy taking it easy on travel

2010-10-06T12:42:14Z

Els starts another season, minus some of his worldwide travel

Ernie Els came all the way from Florida to a small island in the Pacific Ocean to start his PGA Tour season in the Sony Open. Even for a globe-trotter lik...

McIlroy swayed by India's Singh in U.S. PGA Tour decision

2010-06-11T18:32:46Z

DUBAI (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy has revealed a conversation with Jeev Milkha Singh swayed his decision to join the U.S. PGA Tour next season, despite advice from Ernie E...

Internationals seek to reverse foursomes fortunes

2010-04-16T09:55:23Z

The eighth edition of the Presidents Cup got underway Thursday with the International team hoping to generate some heat in the cool, foggy weather at Harding Park Golf Course.

The event, which pits the United States against an International team drawn from all parts of the globe except Europe, opens with six foursomes matches.

The spotlight was squarely on the fifth match - b...

International trio look to hit high notes at Presidents Cup

2010-06-11T18:34:25Z

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Fiji's Vijay Singh and South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were once members ...

Els did not work hard enough after surgery, says Woods

2010-06-11T18:36:22Z

NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Ernie Els did not work hard enough after undergoing major surgery on his left knee in 2005, according to world number one Tiger Woods.

South African E...

Slocum survives star-studded challenge to win Barclays

2010-06-11T18:36:26Z

Heath Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the final hole to claim a one-shot win at The Barclays, the first of the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff series

Slocum's effort denied a possible playoff that would have inclu...

Slocum surprise winner at PGA Tour's elite Barclays

2010-06-11T18:36:30Z

Heath Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the final hole Sunday to claim a one-shot win at The Barclays, the first of the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff series.

Slocum's effort denied a possible playoff that would ha...

Golf: Slocum surprise winner at PGA Tour's elite Barclays

2010-06-11T18:36:35Z

Heath Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the final hole Sunday to claim a one-shot win at The Barclays, the first of the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff series.

Slocum's effort denied a possible playoff that would ha...

Yang books Presidents Cup date, Glover just misses

2010-04-16T10:48:07Z

South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun booked himself a spot on the Internationals team for the Presidents Cup matches as a result of his groundbreaking triumph at the 91st PGA Championship.

But US Open champion L...

Ernie Els not finding life so simple

2010-04-16T11:26:54Z

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (Reuters) - Ernie Els must work on his anger management in order to rekindle the magic that earned three major championships, the South African said on Wednesday.

The smooth-swinging player known as the 'Big Easy' has found it difficult to cope...

Loch Lomond performance key as Ernie Els targets The Open

2010-10-22T07:53:06Z

...

Nirat shoots record 32-under-par in Asian Tour win

2010-06-11T18:49:12Z

Chapchai Nirat sets Asian Tour record with 32-under-par victory in India

Chapchai Nirat of Thailand made a birdie on the final hole Saturday for a 5-under 67 to win the SAIL Open by 11 shots and set an Asian Tour record by finishing at 32-under-par.

Chapchai o...

Els set to defend PGA title with eye toward Masters

2010-06-12T04:59:32Z

Ernie Els will defend his crown at the PGA Honda Classic starting on Thursday even as the 39-year-old South African legend begins to prepare his game for next month's Masters.

Els rallied from three strokes down in the last round here last year to edge Engla...

Els looking for desert golf boost

2010-04-16T17:21:38Z

Ernie Els is looking to one of his favourite tournaments, the Dubai Desert Classic, to kickstart his year and focus his latest bid to win a first Masters title in April.

The big South African will be seeking a record fourth win in the Gulf tournament, a ...

Immelman seeks happy home-coming at golf Nedbank Challenge

2010-04-16T13:59:48Z

South Africa's Trevor Immelman makes his first appearance in his home country since winning the US Masters when he defends his title in the Nedbank Challenge limited field tournament at the South African golfing star Ernie Els said on Sunday that he wanted to win a major next season and top of his list would be the Masters.

The 39-year-old had a disappointing season this year - afflicted by a putting problem - but the world number nine told AFP that he had a clear target for next year.

"I want to win a major next year definitely," said Els, who was here to u...

2004 heroics remembered as Casey is paired with Mickelson again at the Open

2010-10-21T10:18:17Z

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Only 12 spots up for Open

2010-10-21T10:16:56Z

...

Els brings back good luck caddy Roberts for Open campaign

2010-10-21T10:16:46Z

...

Els wins his 7th Match Play Championship

2010-09-10T03:40:56Z

Ernie Els Beats Angel Cabrera 6 and 4 for His 7th Title at World Match Play Championship

Ernie Els won his seventh World Match Play Championship title Sunday by beating Angel Cabrera 6 and 4 in the final at Wentworth.

Els took the lead on the first hole, with Cabrera taking a...

Els leads the way in Match Play

2010-10-15T18:41:24Z

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Els looking for lift

2010-10-13T23:19:40Z

...

Els leads as Ramsay misses cut

2010-10-13T23:05:20Z

...

Rose makes strong Augusta return

2010-10-12T21:13:44Z

...

South Africa Golf Challenge

2010-12-02T12:01:46Z

South African golfer Ernie Els watches his shot on the 15th tee box during the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa on Thursday Dec. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Dubai World Championship Golf

2010-11-26T15:32:33Z

South Africa's Ernie Els walks from the green after sinking a putt at the sixth hole during the second round of the Dubai World Championship golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday Nov....

China HSBC Champions Golf

2010-11-06T01:01:34Z

Ernie Els of South Africa stretches before teeing off at first hole during the third round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 in

Hall of Fame Golf

2010-09-22T15:17:37Z

FILE - This March 29, 2010, file photo shows Ernie Els, of South Africa, holding up the Arnold Palmer trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla.

BMW Championship Golf

2010-09-09T17:00:27Z

Ernie Els, of South Africa, hits his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round at the BMW Championship golf tournament in Lemont, Ill., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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The latest in Ernie Els

Furyk among 11 to book Masters trip

Kelly gets British Open under way with bogey

The "Big Easy" aims to end hard times at Congressional

Congressional ready for unpredictable U.S. Open

Els eases into World Golf Hall of Fame

Player puzzled by Big Easy's hard times at Augusta

Confident Oosthuizen leads South African charge