Els the unofficial number two in world golf
IN: News | European PGA | Cisco World Match Play Championship (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 21 Oct 2002
Ernie Els' win at the Cisco World Match Play this weekend confirms, albeit unofficially, that the mantle of world number two rests with him and him alone.
As should be the case in an invitational event, there were no ranking points this week, but that Els has now won in Australia, Dubai, Scotland, England, South Africa and the US in the last twelve months, highlights that this is a man who is truly a world golfer. While Mickelson is the incumbent number two, at least statistically, there is no doubt that Els' capacity to win wherever he tees it up, in my mind, makes him the rightful holder of the world's best player behind Woods.
His win over Garcia looked to be a cakewalk initially, sprinting to a five up lead through twelve but the Spaniard fought back to reduce the margin to just one shot with four holes to play in the thirty-six hole match. The margin proved to be just too great however and when Garcia erred with his drive at the par five thirty-fifth, he over did his attempt to get close to the green with his second shot, was forced then to chip out and eventually conceeded for Els to win 2 & 1.
This was Els' fourth win in the event closing in on the likes of Player and Ballesteros, both five times winners.
It is hard to imagine a better time in Els' life. Turning thirty-three just a week ago he won the event he was probably keenest to win this year, the British Open, experienced the birth of his second child and his first son, Benjamin and has played well, virtually wherever he turns up. He is deserving of all the success he gets as from a media perspective he is one of the most accomodating players there is.
Michael Campbell's debut at the event further highlighted his love affair with Wentworth, reaching the semi final only to lose to Garcia 2 & 1. Campbell has regularly played well at Wentworth during the Volvo PGA. His cheque for 85,000 pounds further confirms an outstanding year financially.
Vijay Singh was the other semi finalist going down to Els 3 & 2.
Final Round
Sergio Garcia vs Ernie Els (won 2 & 1)
Semifinal Round
Michael Campbell vs Sergio Garcia (won 2 & 1)
Vijay Singh vs Ernie Els (won 3 & 2)
Quarterfinal Round
Ian Woosnam vs Michael Campbell (won 3 & 2)
Sergio Garcia (won 2 & 1) vs Padraig Harrington
Retief Goosen vs Vijay Singh (won 4 & 3)
Ernie Els (won 6 & 5) vs Colin Montgomerie
First Round
Michael Campbell (won 43 Holes) vs Nick Faldo
Padraig Harrington (won 4 & 3) vs Mike Weir
Vijay Singh (won 1 Hole) vs Justin Rose
Colin Montgomerie (won 3 & 2) vs Fred Funk
