Sport

Els aiming to maintain hot streak

A REJUVENATED Ernie Els is back in the hunt for a third title in less than two months at the Ballantine’s Championship

Thu Apr 22 2010 - 01:00

A REJUVENATED Ernie Els is back in the hunt for a third title in less than two months at the Ballantine’s Championship. But the WGC-CA Championship winner faces stiff competition from an equally in-form field at Pinx Golf Club this week.

After enduring a first winless season since 1990 last year, Els cut his travel at the start of the year, missing the start of the European season in the Middle East, but quickly reaped the rewards by returning to the winners’ circle at Doral before posting a second straight win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The 40-year-old cited fatigue for a disappointing outing at the Shell Houston Open the week before the Masters, which contributed to a jaded 18th at Augusta.

But after a week off, the South African is confident of building on last year’s fourth-place, finish despite the presence of last week’s Volvo China Open winner and Jeju-born Ye Yang and Shell Houston Open winner, Anthony Kim.

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“I’ve had a pretty good start to the season. The win in Miami was big for me as it got a lot of confidence back and then obviously Bay Hill was a run on from that,” said Els. “I feel ready to go now and I have a little easier stretch into the US Open,” he added.

High winds are expected to disrupt the first round today, and even with conditions set to improve slightly as the week progresses the wind is set to remain and defending champion Thongchai Jaidee feels players with experience of playing in Europe will again figure prominently after Ireland’s Graeme McDowell triumphed in 2008.

McDowell will look to build on a second top-10 finish of the year last week in China. Pinx Golf Club will always hold special memories for the Ulsterman as a first win in four years in 2008 set up his Ryder Cup debut at Valhalla. “It’s nice to be back, I think the golf course is set up a lot more like it was in 2008 this year compared to last year when it was played later in the year and there was a lot more growth and a lot more rough.”

Shane Lowry, Gareth Maybin, Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane complete the Irish contingent.

Ballantine’s

Course:Pinx GC, Jeju Island, South Korea

Length:7345 yards

Par:72

Prizemoney:€2.2 million (€321,027 for the winner)

Layout:The strength of the wind can be an important factor on this island course which added significant bunker alterations in 2008. Several long par fours include the 490-yard 18th.

Field:156

Defending champion:Thongchai Jaidee

On TV today:Sky Sports 1 (6am)

Weather forecast:Windy, cool and with a chance of rain today. Cloudy and cool over the weekend.