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Els a genuine threat to defending champion Woods in US Open
Illinois, June 11: The U.S. Open golf tournament gets underway with opening round play on Thursday. (June 12) Ernie Els one of the few non-american players to win in recent years will be looking to win his third trophy but must get by defending champion Tiger Woods among others.
Illinois, June 11: The U.S. Open golf tournament gets underway with opening round play on Thursday. (June 12) Ernie Els one of the few non-american players to win in recent years will be looking to win his third trophy but must get by defending champion Tiger Woods among others.
It has been 75 years since Olympia Fields hosted a U.S. Open and the Chicago country club goes into this week`s event under pressure to justify its status as a venue for the year`s second major.
Chicago gangster Al Capone was at the height of his power and golf bags were doubling up as machine gun holdalls the last time Olympia Fields welcomed the U.S. Open in 1928.
Critics who deride the course`s straightforward layout suggest it will be another three quarters of a century before the Open returns to the par-70 venue, due south of the Windy City.
Ernie Els signalled he could provide a genuine challenge to Woods at this year`s majors after winning four titles in his first five starts of the season, and the South African believes he is in good shape.
"I feel like my game is really close to where it was when I was winning tournaments at the start of the season," said Els, who won the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 1994 and at Congressional in 1997.
"My swing is really good at the moment, and I just need my short game to work for me this week."
Woods is bidding this week for his third U.S. Open crown in four years and the defending champion will tee off as the clear favourite in Thursday`s first round at Olympia Fields Country Club. Although the 27-year-old American has not won a major since he clinched last year`s tournament by three shots at Bethpage State Park`s Black Course, both he and his swing coach Butch Harmon are convinced his game is right where it needs to be.
Other genuine challengers this week include 1997 U.S. PGA champion Davis Love III, a three time a winner this year, left-handed Mike Weir, who won the U.S. Masters in April, twice major champion Vijay Singh and Kenny Perry, who won back-to-back titles on the 2003 PGA Tour.
Bureau Report
"I feel like my game is really close to where it was when I was winning tournaments at the start of the season," said Els, who won the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 1994 and at Congressional in 1997.
"My swing is really good at the moment, and I just need my short game to work for me this week."
Woods is bidding this week for his third U.S. Open crown in four years and the defending champion will tee off as the clear favourite in Thursday`s first round at Olympia Fields Country Club. Although the 27-year-old American has not won a major since he clinched last year`s tournament by three shots at Bethpage State Park`s Black Course, both he and his swing coach Butch Harmon are convinced his game is right where it needs to be.
Other genuine challengers this week include 1997 U.S. PGA champion Davis Love III, a three time a winner this year, left-handed Mike Weir, who won the U.S. Masters in April, twice major champion Vijay Singh and Kenny Perry, who won back-to-back titles on the 2003 PGA Tour.
Bureau Report