ESTABLISHMENT
AGE: 41
YEARS ON TOUR: This is Ernie Els' 18th full season on the PGA TOUR. The three-time major winner's resume includes two U.S. Opens ('94 and '97) and a British Open ('02). He has won on the PGA TOUR 18 times, and has claimed 44 international victories.
OVERVIEW: Els was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame this year during the week of THE PLAYERS Championship. He had his fourth multi-win year in 2010, winning the World Golf Championships-CA Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in consecutive starts. But Els only has three top-25 finishes in 11 starts this year. Poor putting has been to blame -- Els currently ranks 188th in Strokes Gained-Putting. A bright spot for the South African has been his iron play. He's hit 70.06 percent of greens in regulation this year, his best since the 1999 season. He is currently 122nd in FedExCup points and 23rd in the Official World Golf Rankings.
HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: In 18 U.S. Open starts, Els has won twice and finished in the top 10 six other times. He held the lead in the final round last year, until a bogey-double bogey-bogey stretch on holes 9-11 ended his chances of winning. He finished in third place, two shots behind champion Graeme McDowell.
OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: Els comes into this week without much momentum, finishing 61st in his last start at the Memorial Championship presented by Nationwide Insurance. His play in Columbus shouldn't be taken as an indication of how he will do this week, however. Last year, Els missed the cut at the Memorial but still managed to bring his "A" game to the U.S. Open. Congressional's ultra-fast greens will test Els' putter, but fond memories of the course could help his confidence. Els has played his best golf at courses with tough setups, which is what he will face this week. His length, calm demeanor and experience should give him an edge.
QUOTABLE: "I've had a week off after Memorial. At Memorial I felt I was hitting the ball well, but I got in my own way again. I had a good week off last week, played out here, got myself familiar with the course again, got obviously great vibes. I think I've got a nice draw. So I'm looking forward to a good week. I'd really love to have a really good week and see where it goes." |
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YOUTH
AGE: 31
YEARS ON TOUR: Graeme McDowell is in his third full year on the PGA TOUR. His first TOUR victory was last year at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. He's also won six times in Europe.
OVERVIEW: McDowell was the hottest player in golf in 2010. He shot a final-round 63 to win the Celtic Manor Wales Open in early June, and then held on against Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els to become the first European to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970. In October, he won the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Spain, and came from three-shots back to beat Tiger Woods in a playoff at the Chevron World Challenge in December. After joining the PGA TOUR this year, McDowell had three top-10s to start 2011 but has since missed three of his last five cuts. He held a one-shot lead going into the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship, but imploded with a 79 to finish tied for 33rd. He is currently 72nd in FedExCup points and seventh in the Official World Golf Rankings.
HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: McDowell has made the cut in each of his five U.S. Open starts. He tied for 18th in 2009 before he broke through with a victory in 2010. The University of Alabama-Birmingham graduate did not play in the event in 2008, and finished outside the top 25 in 2004-2006.
OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: McDowell has played erratically since THE PLAYERS. In his last event, the Saab Wales Open, he opened with rounds of 67-68. He suffered another PLAYERS-like meltdown in the third round, shooting an 81 on Saturday, although he recovered with a 71 on Sunday to finish 30th. McDowell said on his Twitter account that no one will break par at Congressional, a par 71 that could play up to 7,574 yards. McDowell is not a long hitter, but he has found 68.21 percent of fairways this year and ranks 11th in driving accuracy. To play well at Congressional, the defending champ will have to continue to drive the ball in the fairway and eliminate the high numbers that have recently plagued him.
QUOTABLE: "Yeah, I've hit a rough patch here the last three months but I've really felt my game coming around the last four or five weeks. ... I know in my heart how well I am actually playing again. I've turned a corner and I'm really excited about my summer, but it's difficult to maintain that type of form for 12 months." |
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