Ernie Els- Good for You

Back in 1997, when Ernie Els won the US Open, my brother and I (for reasons unknown) decided that the best way to congratulate Ernie Els after a big win was a sincere "Good for you".  It isn't because we disliked him, but more than we didn't love him.  This was the beginning of the prime Tiger Woods years.  Really, it was good for anyone to beat him.  But you thought it would be some equally enthralling foe.  Instead, in this instance, it was Ernie.  It was just that Els just kind of seemed like a normal, nice guy.  Fairly quiet, easy-going, nothing outlandish about him.  A nice South African boy who just went out there and played great golf.

Really, this may be the reason why we love him, especially these days.  The world of golf is either dominated by Tiger's comeback, Phil's bipolar play, Rory McIlroy not living up to his post-win hype, and no truly amazing player on tour anymore.  A genuinely nice, consistent person is refreshing.  I am sure there are plenty of golfers that are great guys.  It is just that Ernie handled himself so well today that it is hard not to like him after this win.

First, he went out and had a solid final round 68, finishing at 7-under and hanging in the clubhouse.  He had a nice day.  Then, Adam Scott, up 4 with 4 holes left, bogeyed out.  His Van De Velde-ian collapse allowed Els back in the tournament.  So, as Scott lined up for a par put that would force a playoff, Els took to the practice green to stay warm.  When that putt went left of the hole, Els became the 8th man ever to win majors in three different decades.

The class Els showed extended beyond the course, however.  Upon receiving the Claret Jug, Els' first words were of consolation to his friend Scott.  "I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine, and we both wanted to win very badly. I really feel for him, but it is the nature of the beast. It was my time for some reason."

As if that wasn't enough, Ernie then gave a special shout-out to a special friend of his: "I've got to thank, obviously, first of all, you know, President Mandela, who's been such a great influence in our country. We have been truly blessed to have a man like President Mandela take us through a very difficult time in our country. And everybody now, we can see the success of the country, now, and it's only because of President Mandela."

He went on to thank Mandela more, and even joked he would offer the 94-year old peace icon and former South African President a drink from the jug.  Not a bad way to celebrate.  A classy golfer, and a classy man, enjoying his moment in a fun, kind, nice way, while showing appreciation for things bigger than golf.  We like that.  And it is why we like Ernie.

So congratulations, Ernie Els.  Good for you.