Ernie Els

On June 19, 1994, up-and-coming golfer Ernie Els won his first major championship at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Els, a 24-year-old from South Africa, was relatively unknown in the United States at the time. The victory was marked by a dramatic playoff, in which Els won against Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie. This win was pivotal in establishing Els' career on the PGA Tour and marked the beginning of his successful tenure as one of golf's top players.

Ernie Els claimed his second U.S. Open title on July 20, 1997, at the challenging Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Els shot a final-round 69 to finish at four under par, holding off Colin Montgomerie and Tom Lehman. This victory further solidified his status as one of the premier golfers of the 1990s and was a testament to his composure and skill under pressure.

Ernie Els secured his first Open Championship, also known as the British Open, on July 21, 2002, at Muirfield in Scotland. The win came after a tense four-man playoff against Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby, and Steve Elkington. Els showed incredible resilience, and the victory was particularly special as it added another major championship to his record, diversifying his achievements to include a victory outside the United States.

In March 2003, Ernie Els demonstrated his match play prowess by securing the World Match Play Championship. Held at the Fancourt Golf Club in South Africa, this prestigious tournament victory was another testament to Els' versatile golfing skills and ability to perform under various formats. Els' success at the match play event was part of an impressive year where he also achieved multiple other wins on tour.

Ernie Els captured the Heineken Classic title in February 2004, showcasing his dominance on the international golf scene. The tournament was held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and Els finished an astonishing 10 strokes ahead of the second-place finisher. This emphatic victory was one of the highlights of Els' career and demonstrated his ability to play exceptional golf on challenging courses, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

Ernie Els claimed his highlight victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 28, 2010, at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida. This was a significant win as Els fended off charges from multiple contenders, showing his veteran experience and ability to manage the course skillfully. The win at such a storied event further exemplified his enduring ability to compete at the highest levels of professional golf.

On July 22, 2012, Ernie Els made a stunning comeback to win his second Open Championship at the Royal Lytham & St Annes course. Trailing four strokes behind Adam Scott on the final day, Els shot a final round 68 to capitalize on Scott's collapse over the final holes. Els' victory marked his first major win in a decade and reinforced his reputation as one of golf's greats.

During the first round of the 2016 Masters Tournament on April 7, Ernie Els endured a disastrous opening hole where he took six putts from within 3 feet, resulting in a quintuple-bogey nine. The unfortunate performance was widely covered by the media as it was a rare occurrence for a player of Els' caliber, known for his smooth putting stroke. It highlighted the mental challenges experienced by golfers and was a humbling moment in Els' illustrious career.

Ernie Els took on the role of captain for the International Team at the 2019 Presidents Cup, held in Melbourne, Australia, from December 9-15. Under his leadership, the International team put up a strong challenge against a powerful U.S. team, ultimately finishing runner-up. Els received praise for his innovative strategies and leadership style, which reinvigorated the International team and demonstrated his acumen off the course as well.

Ernie Els celebrated his first victory on the PGA Tour Champions by winning the Hoag Classic on February 28, 2021. In his sophomore season on the senior tour, Els showcased his enduring skill by securing the win with a final round of four-under 67. This victory was particularly meaningful as it came in Els' 10th start on the tour, marking a new chapter in his long and successful golfing career.