EUROPEAN TOUR/DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP: World number three Ernie Els may feel like a hunted man this week when he takes on a largely unknown field in the Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Country Club in South Africa (Sky Sports 1, 11.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m.).
After tour organisers moved the event forward from January to December to accommodate his busy schedule, Els will be the main attraction in a tournament which features only six more players in the world's top 200. There are three Irish among the 156 entrants: Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Stephen Browne.
The event seems tailor-made for Els, who has won here before and even had a house built on the prestigious estate.
"I love coming here when I get the chance," Els said. "I don't get the chance to come here too often, I probably come down once a year if I can. I've played the course quite a few times, and I've seen the changes that they have made through the years.
"I know the course very well and the par threes here are some of the toughest that you will see on the tour. They can bite you. You can't really look at the rest of the field. You have to play the golf course and play your score and try and put something decent on the scoreboard and hope that it is good enough.
"I don't think the guys will stand back because I am in the field. I think they will come out and try and win. If they want to beat me, that's fine, but they will have to play well. I can't think about them too much. I've got to go out and do my own thing."
The weather will also play a major factor with temperatures set to peak in the mid 30s. "If we can have the weather like this, it will be great. It is definitely a factor," Els added.
"Last week at Sun City, it was 35 degrees at times and it's a long walk. The heat will be a factor. If it comes out baking the guys will feel it. I know what Europe is like and it is the total opposite from here at the moment. Guys will definitely have to take their fluids and look after themselves."
Defending champion Marcel Siem, who won the title last year in a play-off, acknowledged Els' warning, adding: "I feel really, really good. Physically you've got to get used to the conditions and conquer it.
"Today was 25 degrees and I'm not sure if it was good in terms of what we expect, but I'm feeling really confident and looking forward to playing with Ernie.
"I hope I can get some experience off him and look a little bit, but not too much though. I have to focus on my own game. It's great Ernie is playing this tournament but I really want to defend my title."
President's Cup player Tim Clark, ranked 71st, and Denmark's Anders Hansen (94) are the only other golfers inside the world's top-100 in the field. Clark also agreed that the heat would be a major factor.
"I was dead tired after my round yesterday," he said. "I had a headache and needed to go and lay down to recover. For guys who aren't used to it, it will play a big part, particularly at the end of the round when the mind starts to go. This is a week of golf and a week of endurance."
