Ernie Els likens U.S. Senior Open to Royal Troon; prepared for hyperlinks

Ernie Els has gained the U.S. Open twice and a pair of Claret Jugs, so this week’s U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club ought to go well with his sport properly.

Els in contrast Newport to Royal Troon, the positioning of this yr’s Open Championship, as Newport, like Troon, sits proper on the coast, which means the weather have an amazing influence on the course. The wind will gust off the Atlantic, creating havoc at instances. But that will even require gamers to maintain the ball low and run it into the greens, very similar to what golf followers see in Scotland each summer time for The Open.

“The manner you’re going to should play the course may be very a lot hyperlinks fashion, and the course is designed that manner,” Els assessed on Tuesday.

“It’s a golf course the place you’ll be able to play the ball on the bottom, in contrast to final yr and regular U.S. Opens, the place we play the ball within the air. It’s going to be a special style this week. The wind goes to play an enormous issue. Greens are very up, and there’s a whole lot of slope on them. So that wind, when it comes, it’s going to be troublesome across the greens.

“There’s a little bit of room for us off the tee, which is sweet. As someone that’s performed within the wind, someone that’s used to British Open sort of golf, you’re going to should hit these little 4-iron photographs that can run 20, 30, 40 yards. Those who’re comfy taking part in within the wind will most likely do nicely this week.”

Photo by Kathryn Riley/USGA

Of the 5 senior majors, the one one Els has not recorded a top-10 end in is the U.S. Senior Open. Yet, he has posted high 20 finishes within the final three iterations, along with his finest end being a T-12 at SentryWorld Golf Course in Wisconsin final yr.

He has not but triumphed in a senior main however has come shut. Earlier this yr, Els tied for third on the Regions Tradition. The South African then completed six strokes again of Richard Bland on the Senior PGA Championship, tying for sixth.

But he has picked up a pair of victories on the PGA Tour Champions since then, successful the Principal Charity Classic and the American Family Insurance Championship in back-to-back weeks in early June.

“I’ve been taking part in respectable golf. Just began driving the golf ball higher, so giving myself extra alternative out of the brief grass to assault among the flags,” Els stated of his current stretch.

“I made some good putts within the wins, and even after I didn’t win, I’ve been placing fairly steadily. Just issues are a little bit bit extra in form. My general sport is in higher form.”

Considering his sport is rounding into type on the proper time and that Els loves the format of this course, don’t be stunned if ‘The Big Easy’ prevails for his first senior main title at Newport Country Club this week.

At the very least, he ought to contend so long as he can management his golf ball within the wind. But he has confirmed to have completed so earlier than, so there’s no cause to consider he is not going to once more this week.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be positive to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.