Ernie Els may be the oldest player in the field at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player but the 50-year-old is relishing a return to Sun City and hopes to add another memory to his glittering career.
The four time Major Champion is part of an illustrious group to have won this event on three occasions alongside David Frost, Nick Price and Lee Westwood when he claimed victory in 1999, 2000 and 2002 at Gary Player Country Club.
Els is in the opening group to tee off the seventh Rolex Series event of the campaign on his 19th appearance in Sun City, but first since 2013.
However, the 28 time European Tour winner has not ruled out a possible title tilt at a course he knows very well and is keen to soak up an enjoyable atmosphere on home soil.
"I’m really pleased they gave me an invite," Els said. I’m over 50 now, so I’m the oldest guy in the field, but I’ve had so many great memories around Sun City from fans and from the people I’ve met here, and obviously the golf course is very special to me. So you know, it’s nice to be here.
"I'm hitting it nice. Just the golf course is getting longer. But it's in great shape and I'm hoping for a nice week.
"Well, it all depends. I get going, I know I've done well here in the past. But you know, I'm not the player I used to be. But you know, hey, if I get hot, it will be great.
"If not, I just want to have a nice week, enjoy the fans and enjoy the crowd, surroundings and enjoy the golf course and feed off the good memories I've had."
The 9th green at the Gary Player Golf Course 😍 #NGC2019 #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/8UMFBU2KwE
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 12, 2019
Els, who the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997 and the Open Championship in 2002 and 2012, also confirmed he will be part of the senior Champions Tour next season.
"I'm going to be playing on the Champions Tour for next year. I just turned 50 in October, so I'm looking forward to January," he added.
"I'm just playing some events around the globe now, playing here. I'm going to play Leopard Creek, the Dunhill. Play the Aussie Open, and then it's the Presidents Cup.
"But playing here on my home soil, as I said, with so many great memories that I've had at Sun City, it's nice to be around, and see the folks again."
