Photo by Peter from Liverpool, UK / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0(Wikimedia Commons)

Ernie Els

"The Big Easy"

South Africa

World Ranking: #0

Age: 56

Pro Since: 1989

Presidents Cup Legend

Birthdate: 1969-10-17

Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Residence: Jupiter, Florida, USA

Height: 6'3" (191 cm)

Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)

Presidents Cup Record

Wins

Losses

Halves

53.66%

Winning Percentage

Career Achievements

Professional Wins

PGA Tour Wins

DP World Tour Wins

$50M

Career Earnings

Major Championships

U.S. Open

1994

U.S. Open

1997

The Open Championship

2002

The Open Championship

2012

Biography

Ernie Els, affectionately known as "The Big Easy" for his gentle demeanor and graceful, powerful swing, is a World Golf Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport. A four-time major champion, he has been a cornerstone of the International Team since its early days. His contributions as both a dominant player and a transformative captain have left an indelible mark on the Presidents Cup.

Player Statistics

295

Driving Distance (yards)

65%

Fairway Accuracy

70%

Greens in Regulation

1.7

Putting Average

1.25

Strokes Gained: Total

Detailed Presidents Cup Record

Appearances

1996

Debut Year

Total Points

53.66%

Winning %

Singles Record

4-3-1

Foursomes Record

8-7-0

Fourball Record

9-8-1

Defining Presidents Cup Moment

While he had many great moments as a player, his defining contribution was his captaincy at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne. He completely revamped the team's identity, creating a new shield logo and fostering a level of unity and belief that had been missing for years. He strategically guided a young, underdog International Team to the brink of a historic victory, a performance that is widely credited with revitalizing the entire event.