Triple Major winning Ernie ‘Big Easy’ Els startled fellow passengers and players flying to Inverness and this week’s Scottish Open with budget airline ‘Easyjet’.
Els, a former double Scottish Open winner was forced to fly with Easyjet for a first time as he’s in between purchasing a new private jet.
Ernie Els declares Easyjet 'value for money'. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Els, who is reputed to enjoy a wealth of some £75, paid £150 for the short flight from Luton to the northern Scottish city.
“It was a nice change from flying around in charter flights to flying commercially,” he said smiling.
“It took me back to my roots and I just loved it. They charged me £150 that included my ticket and clubs.
“It’s the first time I’ve flown Easyjet and it might not be the last.
“It’s very easy and it’s value for money (laughing).”
'C'mon fly me, c'mon fly me' ... Ernie Els startles passengers on flight to Inverness.
However the current World No. 16, who is sporting a Boeing sponsorship logo on his attire, admitted he was unaware of ‘Speedy Boarding’ or that Easyjet don’t allocate seats
And while some passengers looked in amazement, Els’ fellow Scottish Open passengers aboard the short flight had plenty of fun at the expense of the player who has won 86 events around the globe.
“People were looking at me, especially the players and they gave me a lot of stick,” he said laughing.
“I enjoyed it but I won’t say what they said to me but they had a lot of fun at my expense.
“Everybody was so surprised to see me boarding the flight but that’s where we all started and some nice stories were told again about the old days when I played the European Tour full-time.
“We used to fly out form Heathrow on Tuesday mornings as a group and return on Sunday evenings with the caddies.
“There was a smoking session at the back of the plane in those days and some of the players would be there.
“And the next day we would all wake up with hangovers.”
However Els will be hoping to be flying first class out of Scotland ahead of next week’s British Open, and admitting aside from the doubt of winning another Major that he’s been dragged through the ringer since winning a last Major – 2002 British Open at Muirfield.
“There were times I doubted that I would get back to winning another Major,” he said.
“I played well in last month’s U.S. Open (finished 9th) and I felt very in control and calm, and I just let my game do the work and like I used to.
“So that’s the positive I’m talking about that I really felt mentally and physically very at ease for once, which I haven’t felt that way for months.
“Of course, you are going to have ups-and-downs, and I’ve had my fair share of that.
“But then I’ve been around for 23 years as a professional, and when you play the game long enough, just about everything will happen to you.
“So I’ve been through the ringer and come out the other side and I’m still going at it.”
Els, who captured the Scottish Open in 2000 and 2003, will tee up currently ranked 40th in the world and looking also for a first victory since capturing the 2010 South African Open.
He will play the opening two rounds of the £(Stg) 2.5m Scottish event in the company of Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and World No. 1 and defending champion, Luke Donald.
