Victory Beckons For Ernie Els … U.S. Open Win At Congressional/Same Week As BMW Int’ Open & Last Success.

Could there be better hopeful victory backdrop for Ernie Els.

On the third year anniversary on his 2013 BMW International Open victory, Els has put himself in position to end a three-year winless drought in the PGA Tour’s Quicken Loans Championship and on the Congressional Club course in Maryland where he captured a U.S. Open championship.

Els heads into the third round ‘moving day’ just shots behind the leading duo of Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Billy Hurley 111.

The South African’s BMW International Open victory in Munich was the 28th European Tour success of Els career but then it’s been six years since he tasted success in a regular PGA Tour tournament.

Ernie Els in contention heading to day three of the Quicken Loans Championship. (Photo - PGAtour.com)

Ernie Els in contention heading to day three of the Quicken Loans Championship. (Photo – PGAtour.com)

“I’m not too far off but then I struggled with the driver a little bit off the tees, I didn’t get it in great position. I wasn’t way off but I wasn’t quite in the fairways like I was yesterday and subsequently couldn’t get it close enough to the holes,” he said.

“Hopefully better on day three but I’m still happy with the overall game.

“I didn’t play as good as I played yesterday but I played good enough. I made a very soft bogey on the first hole, the first hole’s not the most difficult. But 18 I kind of leaked my second shot to the right. But the course played a bit longer today. They played it off more of the back tees so they stretched it out a little bit so we had to come in with longer irons and tough to get it close.”

And if Els needed any added incentive it was at Congressional in 1997 he captured a second U.S. Open.

Three years ago this week Ernie Els won a 28th European Tour event in capturing the 2013 BMW International Open.

Three years ago this week Ernie Els won a 28th European Tour event in capturing the 2013 BMW International Open.

“I’m really happy to be here and I’m happy to be in the position I’m in, and I’m really glad playing at Congressional,” he said.

“I’m a member here, so it’s kind of a home course deal for me and got a lot of support out there. It’s really great. People can still remember what we did here 20 years ago so it’s great. You know, I’m starting to play a little better, so looking up for the weekend, I think we can have a good one.”

In between Els and the leading duo is triple Major winning Vijay Singh, who at age 53, is in third place at eight under par.

“Well, I’m not quite as old as Vijay, but I’m getting there. It’s great to see him. He’s always a legend of the game and he’s done so much for the Tour and a great champion,” said Els.

” I know he’s been working hard on his game and he’s been quietly optimistic. Same with me. So I would love to maybe see if we can really go low tomorrow and see him on Sunday.

“You know, it’s not just all about the young guys. Us old guys can still play a bit.”

 



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