Four-time Major winning Ernie Els confessed he doesn’t like snakes but then he’d be happy this week to take the sting out of the Snake Pit.

The Snake Pit is the affectionate name for the final three holes on the Copperhead Course at the superb Innisbrook Course and venue for the $US 5.8m Valspar Championship.

In fact, the three holes are made up of three different and dangerous snakes – 16th is named the Moccasin, the 17th Rattler and the last Copperhead.

Els is making his fifth appearance in the event and he will tee up with a pretty good record having finished sixth on debut in 2006 and then fifth two years ago behind England’s Luke Donald.

This week marks Els sixth event in the 2013/14 wraparound schedule and to date, the South African has made it four from four in the four stroke-play events he’s contested with his only other start being fourth in last month’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona.

And the current World No. 33 is excited to be back in Tampa.

“It’s been two years since I was last here  so it’s nice to be back,” he said.

“I have some great memories of playing well around here including a 66 on the second day in 2006 and then weekend rounds of 68 and 67 when i was here last.”

However when Els was asked for a photograph beside the copper coloured Snake Pit model beside the 16th tee, he remarked:  “I don’t like snakes!”

But then Els will need to take the sting out of the closing three holes over the four days if he’s to claim a first PGA Tour success since capturing the 2012 Open Championship.

Ernie Els – “I don’t like snakes!”

The Snake Pit – the final three holes of the Copperhead course.

The menacing-looking Snake Pit model beside the 16th tee.

Snake Pit merchandise on sale at the Valspar Championship.

Snake Pit t-shirt – 16th Moccasin, 17th Rattler and 18th Copperhead.