Ernie Els is hoping to blow away his rivals at the forthcoming Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
The three-time Major winner is aware of the windy conditions that are likely to prevail at the €2.1 million showpiece and is aiming to turn the situation to his advantage.
“The course will play tough for everybody no matter the conditions,” says the South African superstar. But I’ve played in many Open Championships [British Opens] over the years, having been a professional for 20 years, so strong winds are no stranger. Hopefully my game will allow me to adapt to whatever the weather does.”
Els has played in Korea before but will be making his first visit to the picturesque holiday island of Jeju, where the Ballantine’s Championship will be staged at Pinx Golf Club from April 23-26.
“I played in Seoul in 2005 and we played a wonderful course which was set up really tough, quite like a US Open layout with very high and thick rough,” he says. “I had such a good time in Korea that I’m really looking forward to returning. It’ll be my first visit to Jeju, but I’ve heard so many good things about it, particularly from the players who played in the Ballantine’s Championship last year. They all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Joining Els in the stellar line-up for this year’s tournament will be World No.7 Henrik Stenson of Sweden and England’s Lee Westwood, the World No.12.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, winner of last year’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx, will be back to defend his title while Scottish great Colin Montgomerie, Europe’s newly appointed Ryder Cup captain, has also been confirmed. Smooth-swinging former Masters champion Fred Couples – a golfing icon in Korea – is also in the impressive field. The evergreen American recently showed he has lost none of his touch with a joint-third finish at the Northern Trust Open in California.
Els is relishing the challenge. “I’m looking forward to the tournament because I always enjoy playing against the world’s best players,” he says. "I know it’s going to be tough in Korea, particularly because of the strength of the field, but that’s why we play the game.”
He also believes the Asian contingent at Pinx will be a force and pays tribute to the growing strength of golf in the region. “I’ve been playing in Asia since 1992 and I have seen the game and its players develop enormously in that time. There are many Asian players throughout the world and the growth of the game, particularly in India, has been incredible. The world knows all about the strength of women’s golf in Korea and now the men are coming through with a lot more to follow.”
Els has a record that marks him down as one of the all-time greats of the game. Apart from his three Majors – the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and the British Open in 2002 – he has won an astonishing seven World Match Play Championship titles, twice finished on top of the European Tour Order of Merit and has triumphed 16 times on the PGA Tour. Approaching his 40th birthday later this year, Els feels he still has more Major successes in him.
“I just want to play as good as I can and hopefully complete the Grand Slam,” he reveals. “To do that I will have to win the Masters and PGA Championship before I retire. That’s the aim. My goals this year are just to play good golf, good enough to win me more tournaments and particularly Majors.”
Els has more than 50 victories worldwide to his name and credits his globe-trotting career – including regular visits to Asia – for making him a better player. He thinks it is something his fellow professionals, especially those based in the United States, should try to emulate. “The PGA Tour is wonderful and we play in a lot of different conditions, but to see the world and promote the game is important. It’s something more players should try to experience,” he insists. “My travels have helped my game through having to adapt to different circumstances, courses and climates.”
Els’ plans for a successful year include a strong showing at the Ballantine’s Championship – once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA – and he is aiming to put on a show for his many fans in Korea.
“I’m extremely happy that I have a following there and I’m looking forward to giving them something to remember on Jeju Island,” he says. “I’m very excited about my visit and I’m sure I’ll enjoy every minute.”
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