The Big Easy, the big attraction in Spijk
Golf fans are in for a real treat this month when former World Number One Ernie Els makes a welcome return to Holland to play in the KLM Open (14-17 September). It will be the South African’s first appearance in the Dutch Open Championship since 2001. Everyday golfers will be fascinated to see how the ‘Big Easy’ tackles the new, and rather exclusive, championship venue of The Dutch which was designed by Scottish golf legend Colin Montgomerie. The ‘inland links’ course located in Spijk plays host to one of the oldest tournaments on the European Tour for the second time this year.
Els, winner of four Majors and 66 other titles worldwide, has already proven his prowess at links golf. Monty will no doubt be very curious as to Ernie’s opinion about his Dutch creation – a dream come true for the Made in Scotland team.
Ryder Cup stars gather at The Dutch
Other star attractions in the 98th edition of the Dutch Open are defending champion and home favourite, Joost Luiten, together with Ryder Cup players Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and Lee Westwood, Chris Wood and Andy ‘Spaceman’ Sullivan from England. Since his hole-in-one on the 15th at the Kennemer G&CC in the KLM Open of 2014, Sullivan’s career has really taken off. The smiley 31-year old from Nuneaton became world famous and a favourite with the fans after he was presented with an out-of-this-world prize for his ace: a space trip! Hence, his quirky nickname. In all, thirteen former Ryder Cup players are among those expected to challenge Luiten for his title in Spijk.
More about Ernie, the Master of play-offs
Did you know that two of the four Majors won by 47-year old Ernie Els in his illustrious career were decided after a play-off? The first was the 1994 US Open, his first Major triumph, where he denied Colin Montgomerie from Scotland and Loren Roberts (USA) victory. Three years later, he won the US Open again, this time in regulation play.
The ‘Big Easy’, as he is fondly known, won a Major for the second time after a play-off in the 2002 Open Championship at Muirfield where he fought off Stuart Allenby, Steve Elkington and Thomas Levet to lift the Claret Jug after extra holes. Ten years later, Els won the Open Championship again, this time at Royal Lytham St Anne’s where he snatched the title from young Australian Adam Scott who had looked destined for victory after starting the day four strokes ahead of the field.
The South African’s consistent play has seen him featured in the top-10 of the world ranking for 705 weeks during his career. Indeed, for 9 weeks he was World Number One. His career peaked at Wentworth where he won the World Matchplay Championship an astonishing seven times. Such is the class of Ernie Els. It will be a pleasure to see him playing in the KLM Open, 14-17 September. See you there!
Wendy Hoad
You can READ MORE about the KLM Open in the Dutch language. See ‘Dutch Collection’
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Ernie Els in full easy flow (Courtesy of Ernie Els Management). Minis (l-r): 2016 Dutch Open Champion Joost Luiten, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington and Andy Sullivan. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations.