The last time the US Open Championship visited Congressional Country Club it was a South African who lifted the trophy and 14 years on the country is hungry for more success.
Ernie Els was made a life member of Congressional Country Club following his one stroke victory over Colin Montgomerie in 1997 and the 41 year old is keen to impress his ‘local’ support on his return.
Els’s victory helped inspire a new generation of South African golfers, including Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, both of whom tee it up in this week’s US Open as reigning Major Champions themselves.
It was Els’s second Major Championship victory when he lifted the trophy back in 1997 following his win three years previously and despite struggling for form so far this season, he is relishing a return to Congressional.
“Just playing the course brings back great memories,” said Els. “Obviously the course changed a little bit with the 18th hole the then 17th hole, and the holes really changed back to the 10th hole.
“The finish was obviously very different than it's going to be this week, but the rest of the course is very, very similar. They've lengthened a couple of holes since 1997, but I think with technology they're almost playing the same.
“It was just a very, very special week in 1997. I went into the week with not a lot of form, and to win the '97 U.S. Open was a great big surprise to myself and my family and then obviously set me up for a great year, which I had, winning the next week as well.
He added: “Myself and Monty, had quite a nice little rivalry going ourselves at that stage. Playing at the World Match Play or playing golf in Europe or even the U.S. Opens, we played a lot of golf against each other, and we respected each other as players.
“So we really kind of pulled each other along, I must admit. That's the way I felt. He made an early move and then I'd come and then he'd come and then the guys behind us were always there.
“So it was a great battle. Obviously I say great battle because I came through winning the tournament. But we really kept each other going.”
Although Oosthuizen was only 14 when Els triumphed, he recalls the inspiration effect the win had on him, Schwartzel and a generation of South African golfers.
“At that stage Ernie was every young kid in South Africa's idol, and I think he still is,” said Oosthuizen “I just remember what it did to us as juniors, me and Charl playing for South Africa at that time as juniors. And just we wanted to be like Ernie.
Open Champion Oosthuizen admits he is still adapting to life as a Major winner, something his close friend Schwartzel is also coming to terms with after winning the Masters in April.
“It's been up and down, really, since The Open win but I'm just glad being here and glad having the game a bit better than it was a few months ago,” said Oosthuizen.
“I remember talking to Charl after my Open win and saying it's tough. It gets to you, some things. He said you can see that I'm completely different playing tournaments. And now I just laugh at him when he looks at me and he starts talking. I said, “I told you. I told you”. So now it's nice having those chats, as well. But I hope everyone thinks we are handling it well.”
Schwartzel starts a Major Championship as a Major Champion for the first time following his Green Jacket win nearly two months ago. The 26 year old fancies his chances of following up that victory with another strong performance this week.
“For me the US Open was probably the one (Major) that I actually thought that I would win first,” he said. “I always thought it's the one I felt the most comfortable with.
“It's normally very tough at the US Open. Par is a good score, put it that way. And I like courses where I play like that. I feel if I'm playing well, I can grind out pars, but in courses where you make 20 under par it becomes a putting contest where this actually is a ball striking contest. I think I'd describe myself as a pretty good ball striker.”
