Els hopes to end drought at Singapore Open

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2006 Singapore Open | Preview | 06 Sep 2006

South African star Ernie Els is looking for his first win of the year and judging by his high opinion of the US$3 million Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club, this could be his week.

“I have played quite a few tournaments here in Asia and this is by far the best one I have seen so far. The sponsorship, the way it is set up, is well done, professionally done, world class basically,” said Els today.

The “Big Easy”, whose previous victory came in last year’s dunhill championship on home soil, arrived in Singapore on Sunday to prepare early for what is Asia’s richest national Open.

“This is really the tournament the rest of the Asian Tour should look up to and aspire to be like. This is the way players like it, not just the big prize money. The set up is very professional – this is the way tournaments should be run in Asia,” added Els.

The three-time Major winner is one of eight players ranked in the world’s top-50 competing in the Barclays Singapore Open. Defending champion Adam Scott from Australia, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, and European Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood from England and Ireland’s Paul McGinley also headline the field.

Els played in a corporate day on Monday and practiced on the Serapong course, venue for this week’s tournament, today.

“I am just trying to get used to the heat. I hit a couple of golf balls on the range, it is very warm. I am very excited to be here. It’s just great to come back to Singapore. I was very excited that the organisers were interested in me coming back to Singapore and with the backing of Barclays they are getting quality star players from around the world.

“It will be a boost to the Asian Tour and the Singapore region. Singapore to me is the best city in Asia, I have always enjoyed it here. It is clean and the people are very friendly, it was a natural thing for me to do to sign a deal to come here.”

The South African did not play last week and instead opted to take a break with his family in the Bahamas. He took them back to London and before flying to Singapore.

Els returned from injury with a stunning victory in the dunhill championship last December. He einjured ligaments in his left knee on holiday in July and had to have surgery which ruled him out of the rest of the season, denying him a chance to win the European Tour Order of Merit title for the third successive time.

Ernie ElsSurprisingly he has failed to add further trophies to his cabinet this season.

“I have not had the greatest of years for me. After my injury I guess I am not doing too badly. I feel I am starting to find some form now. At the British Open, I felt comfortable again with my game. I feel with the work I am putting in and if I keep grinding away, basically the win will not be too far away,” said Els.

With a staggering 45 victories worldwide he admits that not winning for nearly 10 months is starting to get to him.

“It has been on my mind for a while now. It has not quite happened yet. It has been one of those seasons. It is September now and I have not won and the season is coming to a close soon. I have got to get something under my belt shortly. It would be great to win here. I have got to try and win. I have had a few good years in the last few years and I am feeling a bit left out. Hopefully I will get something soon.”

Six months out of the game last year and then getting back into the routine of regular golf is part of the reason for his lack of success.

“You have to get used to travelling. Getting back into it. That took a little while. For one thing, when I did come back it was right there but week in and week out your weaknesses come to the fore. Some weeks it is your putting other weeks chipping or driving. The whole game has not quite been at the right level it should be. Five or six months of this year my knee has not been where it should be. Unfortunately it is the left knee and you put a lot of weight on the left knee coming through the ball. Unfortunately at times I did not trust it and made some bad swings,” said the Springbok.

Els has been drawn with Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, the current Asian Tour number one, in the first two rounds.

Source – Asian Tour