When it comes to discussing the greatest rivals in Tiger Woods’ career, there is no question at all that Ernie Els simply has to be in the discussion.
Had Ernie Els played in a different era, he would have almost certainly won more than the four majors he secured. But unfortunately, the best years of the Big Easy’s career were shared with many of the best years from Tiger Woods.
Of course, it is no secret that Woods was the game’s undisputed superstar around the turn of the century. Between 1997 and 2008, he won 14 major titles and looked to be destined to possibly even smash Jack Nicklaus‘ record of 18 majors.
But Els definitely gave him a run for his money at times. The South African won two events in which Woods finished as the runner-up. Meanwhile, they were involved in three playoffs together – perhaps most famously at the 2000 Mercedes Championship.
The admission Ernie Els once made about Tiger Woods
Els however, lost out in each playoff. And he would finish second to Woods on seven occasions during his career. It was also the American who got the bragging rights when they were opposing captains at the 2019 Presidents Cup.
So perhaps it should not come as a surprise that Els once told Graham Bensinger that he felt that he never had that final gear which Woods could find.
“He definitely dominated. Unfortunately for me, he did dominate out here. He beat me a lot more often than I wanted. But he was just amazing. He was just an absolutely amazing talent and the way he performed, I never played with Jack Nicklaus, but they would have had a great rivalry. He was just a little bit too good. It pains me to say that. But that is just a fact. But I did have some good battles with him, I did beat him here and there. I don’t want it to sound like sour grapes, but playing against him in the United States, gave him a little bit of – I wouldn’t say upper hand – but he was a bit more comfortable than I was,” he said.
“He was playing at home. I have great support here, unbelievable support through the years but at the end of the day you are playing at home and the other guy is not, so you feel a bit more comfortable and that played into his hands.
“But also the talent of the man was just amazing. The shots that he played and he was the best closer I have ever seen in my life.”
How Ernie Els reacted to finishing 15 shots behind Tiger Woods at the 2000 US Open
Els found himself in the best seat in the house back in 2000 when Woods won the US Open by 15 shots at Pebble Beach.
Woods started the final round with a 10 shot lead over Els. And he did not make a single bogey on Sunday to extend that advantage further. Unsurprisingly, Els suggested that he quickly realised that he had no hope that day up against the boy wonder.
“He dominated from day one. From the first hole, he started dominating and never let go. I had the privilege to play with him today. I saw the weather before we went out, and I knew I had a chance. I tried to play a solid round of golf, which I did from tee-to-green, but I didn’t make too many putts,” he said immediately after the final round.
“My thoughts about Tiger, he didn’t miss too many shots. I only saw him miss one putt. And he got it up-and-down every time he missed the green. When you have a guy playing like that, you have no chance, and especially with the scoring over the last days. Just a dominating performance. And you guys are the writers. You can write the stories. But I really had a good time playing with him today and watching the way he won.”
Els’ hopes were dashed with a bogey on the fourth hole. Nevertheless, it says everything about the level Woods was at at that time that his playing partner came away from that day having enjoyed the experience.
Els is definitely one player who must sometimes wonder what his career would have looked like had Tiger Woods never picked up a set of golf clubs.
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