Els' HSBC victory earns lavish praise from Ballesteros

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2003 HSBC World Match Play Championship | Wrap | 20 Oct 2003

When Seve Ballesteros said after Ernie Els win over Thomas Bjorn in the HSBC World Match Play today that Els had more talent than Tiger Woods, it was perhaps not the most comfortable moment, but it was clear that the statement now has some significant evidence to back it up.

Ballesteros had walked with the match between Els and Thomas Bjorn today and had witnessed the South African joining both he and Gary Player, as the only players to win the event on five occasions. Before the public interview, Ballesteros had been involved in a conversation with Ernie as he walked from the final green of the match and it was clear that he was praising Els and emphasising his admiration.

When interviewed a few moments later Seve suggested that Els had more talent than Tiger Woods and had the game to become the world’s number one. I think most feel that he does have the game to become the number one in the world, but to suggest he has more talent than Woods was perhaps better left for a less public forum. It may well have been Seve’s way of saying that Woods should make himself available for such events.

Still the evidence for Ballesteros’ case is significant. Els has had two wins in the US in 2003 plus top six placings at the US Open, The Masters and the PGA, now five wins in Europe, plus three runner-ups and more prize money than any other golfer in 2003. If anyone can catch Woods in the short term, then it appears Els is very much the man for the job. Not only is Els a great golfer but he is such a fine ambassador for the game, always accommodating for the media and always politically correct in his promotion of the game.

It has become immediately apparent that the HSBC World Match Play has moved up several notches as a result of the injection of funds by HSBC and the change in selection criteria for the event. More emphasis is being placed on performance in majors as a means of gaining access to the event and it has had its rewards with three of the four major winners here this year plus any of the placegetters. Although none of the major winners made it to the final, their presence certainly strengthened the event and may provide incentive for the likes of Woods and Furyk to play in 2004.

Els’ semi-final win over Vijay Singh came after a marvellous fightback by the South African turning a four hole deficit through fifteen holes in the morning round, into an eventual five and four win. Bjorn had reached the final after a brilliant eagle at the 36th hole had edged out stubborn resistence from his British Open conquerer, Ben Curtis.

In the final Els would take an early lead that he would not relinquish although the match produced some brilliant moments from both players right to the end. Els had holed his second for an eagle at the par four ninth in the afternoon then Bjorn would eagle the par five twelfth and when trailing by five with five to play, he holed his tee shot at the up hill par three fourteenth to keep the match alive. He was only delaying the inevitable however as at the very next hole (33rd) Els would hole a twenty foot par putt to extinguish any faint hope of Bjorn producing a miracle comeback.

Els wins 1 million pounds and although that was not official money, it will take his worldwide tournament earnings for 2003 to more than $US7 million.

Bjorn earns 400,000 pounds or nearly $A1 million for his week’s work and he continues his return to the place he had in world golf three years ago.

Stephen Leaney was the only Australasian in the field and although he departed in round one, losing there to Tim Clark, he will earn $A180,000.