The Big Easy is ready for US Masters
Ernie Els will be making his 22nd appearance at the US Masters, still hoping he can take a title which eluded him in 2000 and 2004.
|||Johannesburg - Ernie Els will be making his 22nd appearance at the US Masters at August National this week, still hoping he can take a title which eluded him in 2000 and 2004 when he had to settle for second place.
Els says he was happy with his preparations for this year’s event which started two weeks ago when he made a flying visit to Augusta to play the course and get a feel for the shots he will need this week.
“I’ve played 74 competitive rounds here, and probably at least that many again in practice rounds, but a pre-tournament visit is always prudent.
“You can see what little changes the tournament committee has made to the course and you also feel like you’re getting a nice little head-start on your preparations, so when you arrive on the Monday of Masters week you kind of hit the ground running.
“Playing four rounds in last week’s Shell Houston Open – a wonderful tournament in its own right – also happens to be a great tune-up for the Masters. The GC at Houston is big course in a wooded landscape and everyone involved in the tournament has in recent years done a superb job setting it up to create a similar kind of challenge to Augusta National.
“I didn’t challenge for a win in Houston but my putting felt comfortable all week, with some solid ball striking, which is what you want heading into the Masters.”
Els says is is ready for Thursday’s opening round but knows all the pitfalls that await golfers in the first Major of the year.
“You want to do what you have to do, but be careful not to do too much. This is a mentally and physically demanding golf course – it takes a lot out of you during tournament week, so you have to conserve your energy. You want to get dialled-in to your distances and spend a bit more time than usual on your short game and putting.
“As usual I have played some practice rounds with the South African guys. We always have some fun together out there and it keeps the pre-tournament vibe nice and relaxed, which I think is important.”
African News Agency