A former World No. 1, Els is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid golf swing. Among his numerous career victories are several major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of a few players to twice win both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
Other highlights in Els' career include topping the 2003 and 2004 European Tour Order of Merit (money list), and winning the World Match Play Championship a record seven times. He was the first member of the European Tour to earn over 25 million Euros from European Tour events. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2010, on his first time on the ballot, and was inducted in May 2011.
When not playing, Els has had a golf course design business, a charitable foundation which supports golf among underprivileged youngsters in South Africa, and a highly-regarded wine-making business. He has also written a popular golf instructional column in Golf Digest magazine for several years.
