Ernie Els

Ernie Els is one of the most successful golfers in the history of the game, having won almost 60 professional tournaments in the last 15 years, including two US Opens and an Open Championship, and a record six World Matchplay titles.

Born in South Africa on October 17, 1969, Ernie was a sporting all-rounder from a young age, excelling at soccer, cricket, rugby and tennis. At the age of 13 he won a significant regional tennis event, the Eastern Transvaal Junior Championships. A year later aged 14 and playing off a scratch handicap, Ernie announced his precocious golf talent on a world stage for the first time when he won the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego, California, beating none other than Phil Mickelson into second place. Ernie was just 16 years old when he formally competed against professional golfers for the first time. He was awarded his Junior Springbok colours in 1984, the State President Sports Award in 1987, and in 1988 his full Springbok colours.

Unsurprisingly from such auspicious beginnings, Ernie’s record since turning pro has been nothing short of sensational. In the period from the mid-1990s, when he was for a while ranked World No.1, to the present day his haul of trophies is second only to Tiger Woods. The international scope of Ernie’s victories is second to none.

Indeed, Ernie is properly recognised as one of golf’s truly global players. This season, Ernie is scheduled to play tournaments in Qatar, Dubai, Thailand, China, England, South Africa, Germany, Scotland, Canada, Singapore and as many as 12 different States of America. In previous years a typical season for this jet-setting golf supremo might take in events in diverse and far-flung locations in virtually every corner of the globe, not to mention the numerous site visits to golf courses that he is designing, or many commercial engagements he will undertake each year for his sponsors.

But despite all this globe-trotting, Ernie obviously travels well. He has occupied a spot in the top-10 of golf’s official world rankings for 655 consecutive weeks, more than any other golfer since the current ranking system came into operation in the mid-1980s.

However, it is not only records and achievements for which Ernie is revered. His classic, powerful golf swing is universally admired, and aspired to, from both sides of the ropes. And while his easy-going nature masks a fierce competitive drive, it is all of these qualities, along with an engaging on-course persona, that have helped make Ernie one of the most popular golfers in the game today.