Four-time Major winning Ernie Els shed no tears in learning an annoying overhanging branch of a tree just off the 6th tee at TPC Sawgrass had been cut down.

The branch, reported to be some 80 to 120 years old, ended its life on Thursday and the victim of disease and old age.    As well, the branch led to an 8-foot crack appearing in the trunk, rendering the entire structure a safety concern.

Els has been up close and personal with the tree on a number of occasions when contesting the Players Championship.

Two years ago, Els got too steep on his swing and hit his tee shot too high on the 393-yard par-4, the ball ricocheting right and forcing him to take a drop before eventually making double bogey.

“Why the hell in the first place would they ever want to keep that branch hanging there I never know,” he said.

“I hit the top of the frigging thing a couple of years back and took a double, so I was ready to plant a stick of dynamite beside the tree and blow the damn tree up.

“So no, I’m not shedding any tears to see it go.”

Before and after shots of the tree just off the 6th tee at TPC Sawgrass.