[golfdigest]

Five years after Ernie Els suffered a bitter Open loss down the road at Troon, the South African is still intent on adding to his major haul

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[stokepoges]

Brilliant column - thanks to Mr. Huggan for saying the things that have made me admire Mr. Els as a man and a competitor and a golfer.

America may not want to hear this, but, through the end of 2008, Els had earned about $10 million more than his direct contemporary, Phil Mickelson. Never mind that the U.S. media blindly and typically trots out the "fact" that Lefty has won more than twice as often on a PGA Tour the foreigner Els has never played more than part-time. Look instead at the victories across the globe, almost 70 at the last count.

"His total of worldwide wins is the best gauge of Ernie's quality," insists Ken Schofield, former executive director of the European Tour. "He has carried the flag for international golf with dignity and distinction."

Another misconception is this "Big Easy" thing. That always was the biggest lie in golf. Even if he is a golfer who has always made mistakes -- he won the 2002 Open at Muirfield surviving a disastrous double bogey at the 70th hole -- a blazing fire has forever burned inside Els. Always tough on himself -- too tough say those closest to him -- the man is both a competitor and a true sportsman. Through all the pain that Tiger has inflicted upon him over the years, Els has never begrudged the game's best player one damn thing. Ernie has always been honest enough and big enough to pay tribute when it is due. To do otherwise, he clearly feels, would demean him as a man and a golfer.