AUGUSTA, Ga. About a dozen fans politely applauded as Ernie Els made his way to the 18th green on Sunday at Augusta National, the vast majority unaware that it was likely the South Africans last trip up the iconic hill in the tournament that has caused him so much pain.For the Big Easy, the Masters was anything but easy. His runner-up showing in 2004 to Phil Mickelson is still the standard for competitive heartbreak to go along with a second-place finish in 2000 and a half dozen top-10 finishes at the years first major.But the green jacket always eluded him.This tournament was just not for me, he said after shooting a 6-over 78.Els love-hate relationship with Augusta National could be summed up in a single answer when he was asked to recount his good memories at the Masters. Oh, let me think, he offered with a wry smile.But as his mind raced through his 23 years at the Masters it quickly settled on his first start in 1994 when he finished tied for eighth place. He remembered being paired with two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw and Jose Maria Olazabal, who won that years tournament.He remembered learning to love the nuances of the golf course and its fast, undulating greens. He recalled how much that first exposure benefited him just two months later when he won the U.S. Open at Oakmont.Putting on these greens, I loved putting on these greens, and I still do, believe it or not, said Els, whose exemption into the Masters for winning the 2012 Open ends this year. That's definitely the thing that helped me for Oakmont, because Oakmont has very similar slopes, similar speed, and I loved putting at Oakmont.
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At 47 years old, Els still maintains a competitive firewall when it comes to negative association, which at least partially explains why 2000 and 04 dont immediately register when he thinks of his more than two decades at Augusta National.The 04 edition is particularly difficult. After beginning the final round three strokes off the lead, Els eagled the eighth and 13th holes to move into the hunt but could only watch as Mickelson rolled in an 18-footer for birdie at the last to beat him by a stroke.Els made it clear hes not at the point in his career where he has much use for nostalgia, even suggesting that he could someday return to the Masters as a competitor, although the prospect of coming back as a non-competing invitee did hold a measure of appeal.Ive got my brains beat in here, so who knows, maybe I can come here and have a few beers, he laughed.Just as Els was finishing his day at Augusta National, a pitch shot away Rory McIlroy was teeing off for the final round. Like Els in 94, McIlroy has seemed destined to win a closet full of green jackets.If I look back at the 23, 24 years here, how many professional golfers get the opportunity to play the Masters 23 times? he said. Having a chance to win it a couple of times was special and this tournament is just not for me. I've won a lot of events around the world, but this one just eluded me and that's fine.Els Masters plight is a vivid reminder that not every career, even World Golf Hall of Fame careers, end with a ceremony in Butler Cabin.
Els tied for 22 nd at Augusta National in 2015, but since 2014 he also has two missed cuts, a solo-53 rd and didn't even qualify last year. Els' 23-start Masters career wasn't overly
Els likely done with Masters: 'I won't miss the place
Els completes 23rd - and likely last - Masters. By Rex Hoggard. He remembered being paired with two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw and Jose Maria Olazabal, who won that year's tournament.
Els likely done with Masters: 'I won't miss the place' | Golf
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Last year, Brooks Koepka won the U.S. Open at 1 over, and par has often been a good enough score to win, regardless of the course. only a month after his comeback for the ages at the Masters
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The Latest: Els closes out what might be his final Masters during the third round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Ernie Els likely won't play in another Masters. Fine by him, he says. "To be honest with you, I won't miss the place," Els told The New York Post on Friday after missing the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. "I had enough of it - especially the last five years I played it terribly."
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He tied for fifth place last year. A Masters win would complete his Major set after triumphs in the PGA Championship — twice — the US Open and The Open. But Els, now a few months short of his
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Els likely done with Masters: 'I won't miss the place' By Golf Channel a solo-53 rd and didn't even qualify last year. Els' 23-start Masters career wasn't overly impressive in his book
Els likely done with Masters: 'I won't miss the place'
Apr 09, 2017 · The 23rd Masters for Ernie Els might be his final competitive go at Augusta. Ernie Els, a 2000 and 2004 Masters runner-up, came into the final round at 14-over 230, the highest score in the field.
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Masters 2019: Ranking the six amateurs playing in the small field at Augusta National Ernie Els' nephew (!) became just the second South African to ever win The Amateur last summer. The Auburn
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