Few players in recent history have a better record at the Open Championship than Ernie Els.
The popular South African boasts two wins, three runners-up and two third places among his nine top-five finishes at golf’s original championship.
He had already contended for the Claret Jug on numerous occasions, most notably when finishing second in 1996 and 2000, by the time he secured his first Open victory in the most dramatic fashion at Muirfield in 2002.
After a shaky finish to his final round, long-time leader Els found himself in a four-man playoff – the first in Open history – with Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington. Els and Levet still could not be separated after the scheduled four holes, but it was “The Big Easy” who ultimately prevailed in sudden death.
Els remained a regular fixture on Open leaderboards in the years that followed, losing a playoff to Todd Hamilton two years later before finishing third at Royal Liverpool in 2006 and fourth at Carnoustie in 2007.
A second Open victory then came his way in 2012 – 10 years on from his Muirfield success – as he sensationally snatched victory from Adam Scott at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 150th Open at St Andrews saw Els make his 31st appearance in the Championship and 30th in succession.
To view Els’ full record at the Open, click HERE.
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