Ernie Els will be at the TPC Sawgrass as a competitor for the first time in eight years.
Els, who became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, won the PGA Tour Champions Kaulig Championship on Sunday by one shot over Y.E. Yang, at 10-under-par 270. Els shot 68 in the final round at the Firestone Golf and Country Club in Akron, Ohio, holding on despite a 1-over 36 on the back nine.
One of the perks for winning his first PGA Tour Champions major (and his 99th professional tournament) is a spot for Els in the 2025 Players Championship at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Els last played in the tournament in 2017 and he will make his 25th start, at the age of 55 when the tournament begins on March 13.
Els has four top-10 finishes in The Players. His best week was a tie for sixth in 2008.
Els has made 17 of 24 cuts at the Stadium Course but missed five of his last eight. He was candid about his track record in The Players during his post-round news conference.
“Well, my record sucks there, he said. “I’ve only had two top-10s there at Pete Dye’s masterpiece. But I think I’ll probably go. Knowing myself, I’ll go have a go and see how we can go against the flat bellies. Looking forward to it.”
Els couldn’t enjoy his victory too long, He and his family, and friend Darren Clarke, hopped a private plane to Scotland where the Open Championship will begin on Thursday at Troon. Els and Clarke are both in the field as past champions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ernie Els breaks through at Firestone and earns a spot in The Players
