GOLF | Venetian Macau Open | Ernie Els looking to get more wins next year

Ernie Els

With a career spanning over two decades, renowned South African golf player Ernie Els is looking to get more wins under his belt next year, he said in a media conference held recently. A former world number one, he will be returning to Macau for this year’s Venetian Macau Open, taking place between October 23 and 26.
Reviewing the current season, Ernie Els said his form had been a bit off, but he has been able to make some major changes in equipment and practicing more, to see how he copes under pressure.
“One thing is practicing on the practice green, and playing in the tournament under pressure. So I needed to play in quite a few events. I have played in some unusual events where I usually haven’t played in the past, but it was purely to see how I will cope under pressure,” he said.
Els said he is looking forward to the next year: “I am looking to get some wins under my belt.”
Set to play with Thongchai Jaidee – who he thinks is the best player in Asia now – and Miguel Angel Jimenez in the Venetian Macau Open, Els said he’s sure that they will be playing at their best, as they “are good competitors“. “They want to win, so I think they will be a great force for the tournament,” he added.
The South African player said he knows both competitors well, since they have been good friends for a very long time.
“We have played all around the world, they are both great champions; Miguel Angel is a legend on the European tour, he has won so many events, and won the Hong Kong Open four times (…) I think for the event, Miguel is the perfect guy to bring, and Thongchai with his Asian Tour roots, is another great attraction,” he said.
Asked whom he thinks is the best player in Asia now, Ernie Els replies easily: Thongchai Jaidee. “He won again in Europe this year. He is a wonderful player. Japanese player Matsuyama is wonderful, too, and Ryo Ishikawa is great as well,” he said, adding that there are also Indian golf players who are rising through the ranks.
“I am going to take a closer look when I play at the Macau Open and see the quality of players there. Everytime I go back I see some good players,” he stressed.
Last year, Ernie Els finished joint third in Macau’s tournament. Because the Venetian Macau and Ernie Els created a partnership aiming at boosting the number of golf players, he said that he will be travelling to town “a couple of times.”
Els hopes to lend a hand to help the tournament here grow in the future.
“One of the reasons why we committed with this partnership with the Venetian Macau is because they are a world-class resort, and golf is one of the tools to attract people to come to Macau.”
As a golfer he hopes to convince others to join in the event, and “see how wonderful Macau is, and how much we can do with our family [there] and enjoy the island, resorts and play golf.”
“It’s a hotspot for world travelers, and I do have some fun with my family, and we found it quite exciting, and that’s why we promote this,” he added.
Ernie Els boasts a phenomenal 70 professional career wins across the globe including four majors – two US Opens and two Open Championships. A former world number one, the South African has spent a total of 788 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
He has featured in 26 tournaments of the Asian Tour. Known as “The Big Easy” due to his relaxed demeanor and fluid golf swing, the 44-year-old was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2010.
The Venetian Macau Open is part of the Asian Tour’s tournaments, and is organized by the Macau Sports Development Board and the Golf Association of Macau. The Venetian became title sponsor of the tournament in 2012.
Ernie Els made his first appearance at the Venetian Macau Open last year.