Mar. 17, 1999
Ernie Els
For Els, a calm demeanor masks an explosive game. Els skyrocketed onto
the golf scene with his surprising victory at the 1994 U.S. Open. He
would pick up his second major and second U.S. Open title three years
later at Congressional in 1997. A dominating player with a swing like
a metronome, Els won thre consecutive Toyota World Match Play titles
from 1994 to '96. Member of the 1996 and 1998 Presidents Cup teams for
the International side.
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Background
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Turned Pro:
1989
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Birthday:
10/17/1969
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College:
None
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Height:
6'3"
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Birthplace:
Johannesburg, South Africa
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Residence:
Fancourt South Africa and Orlando, FL
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Exempt Status:
Winner, 1997 U.S. Open (through 2007)
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Major Victories
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1997:
U.S. Open
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1994:
U.S. Open
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PGA Tour Victories
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1999:
Nissan Open
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1998:
Bay Hill Invitational
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1997:
Buick Classic
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1996:
Buick Classic
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1995:
Byron Nelson Classic
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International Victories
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1999:
South African PGA Championship
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1997:
Johnnie Walker Classic(Aus)
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1996:
South African Open(Afr),
Toyota World Match Play
Championship(Eur),
World Cup(Indiv)
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1995:
Lexington South African PGA Championship,
Toyota World Match Play Championship(Eur)
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1994:
Dubai Desert Classic (Eur), Toyota World Match Play Championship,
Johnnie Walker World Championship (Eur), Gene Sarazen World Open
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1993:
Dunlop Phoenix Tournament (Jpn)
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1992:
Protea Assurance South Africa Opn (Afr) Lexington, PGA Championship
(Afr), South African Masters (Afr), Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Classic
(Afr), First National Bank Players' Championship (Afr), Goodyear
Classic (Afr)
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