Profession: Golfer
Biography: Ernie Els, known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing stature and seemingly effortless golf swing, is a South African professional golfer. He has won more than 70 professional career victories, including four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and The Open Championship in 2002 and 2012.
Beyond his playing career, Els has been involved in golf course design and charity work, particularly focusing on supporting children with autism. His son Ben is autistic, and Els has displayed the logo of the Autism Speaks, an awareness and research institution, on his golf bag.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, further solidifying his place as one of the greats in the sport. Lately Els mostly plays on the PGA Tour Champions.
Born: October 17, 1969
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
Age: 54 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Libra
Playing Career
- 1994-06-20 US Open Men's Golf, Oakmont CC: Ernie Els of South Africa wins on the second sudden-death hole to defeat Loren Roberts, after Colin Montgomerie was eliminated in an 18-hole playoff
- 1996-07-21 British Open Men's Golf, Royal Lytham & St. Annes: American Tom Lehman wins his only major championship by 2 strokes from Mark McCumber and Ernie Els; first American to win at Lytham since Bobby Jones 70 years earlier
- 1997-06-15 US Open Men's Golf, Congressional CC: Ernie Els wins his second Open title, the second of his 4 major championships, 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Colin Montgomerie
- 2000-04-09 64th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Fijian Vijay Singh wins by 3 strokes from Ernie Els of South Africa
- 2000-06-18 100th US Open Men's Golf, Pebble Beach GL: Tiger Woods wins his first US Open by a major championship record-setting 15 strokes over Ernie Els and Miguel Ángel Jiménez
- 2000-07-23 British Open Men's Golf, St Andrews: Tiger Woods beats Thomas Bjørn and Ernie Els by 8 shots to win his first Open title and to become the youngest player at only 24 to win all 4 major titles
- 2002-07-21 British Open Men's Golf, Muirfield: Ernie Els of South Africa wins first of 2 Open titles in a playoff from Australians Stuart Appleby & Steve Elkington, and Frenchman Thomas Levet
- 2003-11-23 Presidents Cup Golf, Fancourt Hotel and CC: US and International team tie, 17-17; after 3 tied playoff holes between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, captains and players decide Cup to be shared
- 2004-04-11 68th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Phil Mickelson claims his first major title with a birdie on the final hole to win by 1 stroke over Ernie Els of South Africa
- 2004-07-18 British Open Men's Golf, Royal Troon: American Todd Hamilton wins his only major title, defeating 2002 champion Ernie Els of South Africa by a stroke in a 4-hole playoff
- 2012-07-22 British Open Men's Golf, Royal Lytham & St. Annes: South African Ernie Els wins his 2nd Claret Jug, 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Adam Scott of Australia
Famous Golfers
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