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Meet The International Team

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Ernie Els

Since Ernie Els played in his first Presidents Cup in 1996, he's been the go-to guy for the International side, and there's no reason to think that will change at Harding Park. And why not? Els brings a resume that features 16 PGA TOUR victories (including two U.S. Open wins and a victory at the 2002 British Open) and 44 international victories. As for team play outside The Presidents Cup, he teamed with fellow countrymen David Frost and Retief Goosen to win two Dunhill Cups and won the 2001 World Cup with Goosen. His most dramatic Presidents Cup moment came at the 2003 Matches in South Africa when, with the Matches tied at the end of regulation play, he and Tiger Woods tied three extra holes before the matches were called off because of darkness and declared a tie, with both sides sharing the Cup.

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The Els File

Full Name: Theodore Ernest Els

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Birthdate: Oct. 17, 1969

Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Residence: Wentworth, England

Family: Wife, Liezl; Samantha (5/26/99), Ben (10/6/02)

Special Interests: Movies, reading, sports

Turned Professional: 1989

Joined Tour: 1994 Nationwide Tour Alumnus

Personal Info

Ernie Els started playing golf at age 9 and was one of South Africas finest junior tennis players until he shifted his full focus to golf at age 14. He is very involved in South African junior golf as well as the Cancer Society of South Africa. He hosts the Ernie Els Invitational in South Africa to raise money for charity. The Ernie Els Foundation was formed in early 1999 to provide support to disadvantaged children. The proceeds from the Ernie Els Invitational go to four charities and his Foundation. In 1998, he received a lifetime membership on the European Tour, joining other non-European honorees Sir Bob Charles, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. His Web site is ernieels.com.

Playing Record

PGA TOUR Victories: (16) 1994 U.S. Open. 1995 GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic. 1996 Buick Classic. 1997 U.S. Open, Buick Classic. 1998 Bay Hill Invitational. 1999 Nissan Open. 2000 The International Presented by Qwest. 2002 Genuity Championship, British Open. 2003 Mercedes Championships, Sony Open in Hawaii. 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii, the Memorial Tournament, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2008 The Honda Classic.

2009 PGA TOUR Highlights: Els made his eighth career start at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, posting his sixth top-10 finish there with a tie for sixth place. He reached the quarterfinals of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, losing to Stewart Cink, 2 and 1, to finish tied for fifth. Later, he tied for eighth place at the Memorial Tournament. He earned his 12th top-10 finish (tied for eighth) in his 18th consecutive appearance at the British Open and finished tied for sixth at the PGA Championship.

National Teams: The Presidents Cup (6), 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009; Dunhill Cup (9), 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000; World Cup (5), 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001

Presidents Cup Record: 13-10-2

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