Els overcomes disappointment of Springbok loss
Ernie Els paid out around €288 in lost rugby bets today – after earning himself a shot at a £1m (€1.67m) jackpot tomorrow.
Els had placed his faith in the South African team to upset England, but more important to him was that he beat Vijay Singh in the semi-finals of the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.
The defending champion, four down after 15 holes, won a tournament record eight holes in a row and ended up a five and four winner.
He will be trying for a record-equalling fifth title against Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn in the 36-hole final, but even if he loses he will be £400,000 better off.
Els watched the first 10 minutes of the Perth game during his lunch break and an hour later was told wrongly that the Springboks were leading 12-6.
“I thought ‘wow’.” Then, however, the right result was given to him on the seventh hole.
“I think it’s going to take a very good side to beat England,” he said later. Els, 6ft 3in and 15 stones, was a very useful No 8 himself before giving all his attention to golf.
Both finalists live close to the Surrey course – Els’ house actually backs on to it – but while it is the South African’s sixth final in 10 years it is Bjorn’s first.
Remembered for losing the Open in July when three shots ahead with four holes to play the Dane today beat the man who capitalised on his collapse, American Ben Curtis.
Bjorn has already had three games to Els’ two and said: “I felt tired towards the end today, but I am sure I will have enough adrenalin to keep me going.
“I’m playing the star of the field, though, and if he plays as he did today it’s going to be tough.”
Els helped Bjorn overcome the disappointment of the Open, telephoning him and telling him he had proved he was capable of winning a major even if he hadn’t.
It meant a lot to Bjorn – and so would beating him tomorrow, even if he admits that the only way to make up for Royal St George’s is to win a major.
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