New BMW International Open champ, Ernie Els has delivered a blow to Scottish Open organisers saying he intends to withdraw from the July 11th commencing event at Castle Stuart.
Els’ name appears on the European Tour website list of entries but the double Scottish Open champion intends instead to focus purely on his intended next event – his defence of the Open Championship.
The South African, and reigning Open Champion, will get his first look at Muirfield tomorrow (TUES) playing a practice round in the company of long-time friend and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship organiser, Johann Rupert.
Ernie Els disappoints Scottish Open organisers by saying he won’t contest the Castle Stuart event. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
It will be the first time Els will walk out onto Muirfield since winning a four-man play-off in capturing the 2002 Open.
“I see my name is down to play the Scottish Open, but my plan is not to play the Scottish,” said Els.
“I’ve got a nice break coming up and during that time I will head back and forth to Muirfield, starting on Tuesday, to get myself again familiar with the golf course.
“It’s going to be very special, and I’m sure a little emotional, stepping back out onto the course as I know the memoires will come flooding back.”
And Els sounded yet another warning to golf’s 20-something players reminding them that at nearly 44 years of age the four-time Major winner is not about to hand back the Claret Jug without a fight.
“I’m still chasing Major victories, so I’m not thinking about retirement or anything like that, even after I turn 50,” he said.
“But right now after this BMW International Open win I feel the youngest 43 year old in the world right now (smiling).
“I can compete with anybody, and those boys have got a long way ahead of them.
“Guys like myself, Mickelson, Thomas Bjorn and Jimenez, there’s quite a few of us who are in our 40s that can still play this game.”
