Friday, January 7, 2000
Oahu stop part
of Els’ world tour
Next week's Sony Open
By Paul Arnett
will be the South African's first
tourney in Honolulu
Star-BulletinKAPALUA, Maui -- These days, Ernie Els isn't quite in Tiger Woods' or David Duval's neighborhood, but he's not too far down the block.
While the world's top two players will skip the Sony Open next week, Els has opted to play in Honolulu for the first time in his career. It's a decision that should please Oahu golf fans.
Els finished the first round of yesterday's $2.9 million Mercedes Championships with a solid 2-under-par 71. He is tied with Woods for third place, just two strokes off the pace set by Jesper Parnevik, who will also play in the Sony Open next week.
Unlike Parnevik's up-and-down round, Els was steady in the blustery tradewinds whipping across the Plantation Course. The 30-year-old South African had a birdie on each side, didn't bogey a hole and managed no three putts. He was the only golfer to have a bogey-free round.
Els missed last year's Mercedes because of his marriage to Leizl. This time around, however, he arrived on Maui on Dec. 30 and has played the course several times just to get a feel for things in Hawaii.
"I arrived here last year, sounds like a long time ago doesn't it?'' Els said, then smiled. "I've never really started this early in the year. This is especially a nice event to start it.
"Obviously, 30 guys, no cut, it's a beautiful place. Traditionally, I have started in Florida, so this is a good start for me. $500,000 first prize. Only 30 guys. What better way to start the year.''
Els is in the midst of being a world traveler. After the Sony Open, he will go to Perth, Australia, to play in a tournament there on his way back home to South Africa. He'll remain there for several weeks before flying halfway back around the world again for the Nissan Open in Los Angeles.
"Going to Perth is on my way home,'' Els said. "I'm on my way around the world at the moment. This is just a halfway stop. Believe me, flying from South Africa to the West Coast, you can't believe how far it is if you haven't done it.''
One reason Els is starting earlier is because of the big money being offered on the West Coast swing. Starting in Florida is just too late to keep up with the likes of Duval and Woods. Last year, Duval already had a million dollars in the bank by the time he arrived in Florida in April.
"To be honest with you, I'm not in the same ballpark with Tiger or Duval at this point,'' Els said. "It's a fresh start for everybody this year. I've just got to take it week-to-week and play the best that I can and see where that takes me.
"I can't worry about what anybody else is doing, except me. Tiger and Duval are leading the pack at the moment. I think if I really commit myself, I can maybe get to their level. But it will take me a while to do it.''
Els has been on the PGA Tour 10 years. He has seven Tour victories to his credit, including two U.S. Open titles in 1994 and 1997. He finished second to Woods in the 1997 Grand Slam event at the Poipu Bay Resort. In 1994, he placed third.
