Three-time Major Champion Ernie Els is relishing teeing up at the Ballantine’s Championship’s new venue, Blackstone Resort in Seoul, later this month.
Els has had top ten finishes in the tournament for the past two seasons, when it was played at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju island, and is eyeing victory in this year’s €2.2 million event, taking place from April 28 to May 1.
“I had a chance last year and I didn’t play a good final nine holes,” said the South African. “So I’m coming back this year with the objective to try and win the tournament.
“It’s a prestigious event and they get a number of really good players, so if you can win, you’ve beaten a really good field. I would love to win, especially on a new course.
“I always read up on who designed the course.
It will be a long flight to get there so you can do a bit of background research and start reading up on the designer and his philosophy.”
Els added of golf’s huge growth in Asia in recent years: “The changes have been huge. I’ve been playing in Asia since the early Nineties, so I’ve seen some of the players come and go, but I’ve never seen it as strong as it is now.
“Golf in Asia has exploded, everywhere you go it is such a popular sport. They televise tournaments from Europe and the US and, of course, there is such a large audience.”
The 41 year old is feeling the benefits of having a more relaxed schedule this season, which started magnificently with victory in the South African Open Championship.
“I had a five-week break before playing in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson,” he said. “I normally play in the Middle East and on the US west coast, but I had a nice break and took it easy.”
Joining Els in Korea’s biggest golf tournament will be World Number Two Lee Westwood, his fellow Englishman Ian Poulter and home favourite Y E Yang, Asia’s first Major winner.
