Ernie Els says goodbye to the Masters for probably the last time after career of near misses
The Big Easy was cruelly denied by a rampant Phil Mickelson in 2004 and finished 2017 in last place
ERNIE ELS was determined to look at the positives as he said farewell to the Masters – after being forced to wave goodbye to a green jacket on several occasions.
Els was tipped as a certain future winner when he finished eighth on his Augusta debut in 1994, the year he won the first of his four Major titles at the US Open.
But despite two runner-up finishes – and never finishing outside the top six from 2000 to 2004 - claiming a green jacket proved just too difficult for the Big Easy.
Els’ 23rd Masters appearance was one to forget, as weekend rounds of 83-78 dropped him to 20 over par.
He played the final round alongside marker Jeff Knox and finished last of the 53 players who made the cut.
This will almost certainly be his last hurrah, as his five year exemption for winning the 2012 Open has now run out.
And with his 48th birthday coming up in October, it is hard to see him qualifying again.
He said: “It’s not a great way to go out, playing some atrocious golf, but I’ve still got some fabulous memories of being here.
“I’ve had a hole in one, I’ve played rounds with Jack Nicklaus and all the Augusta greats, and I’ve got a load of crystalware that they give you for making an eagle. The only thing missing is a green jacket!
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“I’ve won my share of tournaments around the world, including a couple of Opens and the US Open twice as well, but it just wasn’t meant to be at this one.
“The one that hurt most was 2004 when I was leading most of the day, and Phil Mickelson birdied five of the last seven holes to beat me by one. There’s not much you can do about stuff like that.”
Els offered words of consolation to Rory McIlroy, who again failed to mount a real challenge for the one Major he needs to complete a Grand Slam.
Most pundits reckon it is only a matter of time before McIlroy captures a green jacket, and Els is convinced they will not share the same sad fate.
He added: “I mean, Rory’s still so young. He's played quite a few Masters, he's had a couple of chances already, and it doesn't seem like it's burned him too much in the way he speaks about some of his close calls.
“If he keeps a good attitude, I think he's fine. He has the perfect game for here. And whether you keep saying it or not, it's a fact. I'm sure he can win it – and if he gets that first one, he can win a few.
“I know we said this many times, but I do believe in him, because he's got an all‑around great game, and he's longer than I was at that age. And you need to be really long around here.”