The idea that Els had one win on American soil since the spring of 2004 was more than mind-blowing. Year after year, as Els failed time and time again, we slowly scratched him off our list of Tiger Challengers. He had tangled with the great Tiger – memorably, at Kapalua in 2000 and ending the “Tiger Slam” at Muirfield in 2002 – so much in that era that we thought they’d be the Jack vs. Arnie or Jack vs. Tom rivalry of the 21st century. Els has finished second to Tiger more than any golfer in Tiger’s reign, which believe it or not is a good thing, despite its Miss Congeniality undertones. Today Els turned back the clock, and enjoyed one more victory on American soil, yes Tiger has not in the field, and the outcome could have been different.  Els today enjoy your victory you earn it.

 
Ernie Els poses here with his wife Liezl and his manager Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler on the 18th hole.