Ernie Wins in Manners at the Korean Open

Ernie Els (RSA) failed to raise the championship trophy, but succeeded in keeping his nickname “Prince of the Green” valid with his fame.

In the final round of the 47th Kolon Korean Open (total prize money: 500 million won) held at the U-Jung Hills GC (par 72, 7,047yards) in Cheonan, Chungnam province on September 12, “Big Easy” (Els nickname) who teed off a stroke behind the leader and standing tied for second place, strayed away from the winning zone as he recorded a double bogey by dropping his T-shot into the water on the 13th hole (par 3, 221yards).

But Els stood high with his temperate aspect in having consideration for his competitors amid strong competition in the champions group, as he represented the world’s number three best player. There is a reason that explains why Els is treated as a big player in comparison with last years champion, “Wild Thing,” John Daly (USA), who was absent this year without any notice.

Els, who stood on the teeing ground four shots behind Edward Loar (27, USA), powerfully swung his T-shot as if giving a fan service, but as he slightly pulled his swing with help from the gusty winds, the ball fell into the 17th hole rough.

With 245 yards remaining, Els succeeded in his second shot, sending it over the trees and pond, but was short, and only dropped the ball in the bunker in front of the green. Els, with his specialty smooth bunker shot, landed his next shot near the hole and left his third ball within a 1.5m perimeter, which was closer than Loars, but let the Loars’ three meter “champion putt” receive the spotlight as he holed out ahead.

Els decorated his final hole with a birdie and received applause from the gallery, and as if Loar was compensating for Els’s consideration, he wrapped up with a birdie putt finale.

Loar is a lefty who notched a unique championship in the 2003 Taiwan Open Asian Tour after his pro debut after his victory in the NCAA championships. His winning score in this competition was the only under-par score with a two under-par 286, while Els recorded a 2 over par, 290 strokes and third place.

As of this, the Korean Open title, which is the national title, has fallen into the hands of foreign players for three consecutive years starting from 2002 and the victory by Sergio Garcia (Spain).

Terry Pilkadaris (Australia), who led until the third round, recorded a triple bogey on the 14th hole (par 4) and rapidly fell in the standings to finish tied for a fourth place (4 over par, 292) score.

For the domestic (Korean) players, Kang Wook-soon (Samsung Electronics) made the best mark with a tie for sixth place (5 over par, 293) and Nah Sang-wook (Kolon Elord) stayed behind tied for 26th place (15 over par, 303).

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com