Inspired in part by the aggressive play that carried Tiger Woods to a record-setting victory in the 1997 Masters, South African Ernie Els decided to attack Augusta National Golf Club in 1998.
``Well, yeah, I tried that, but obviously it didn't work,'' the two-time U.S. Open champion said.
Els shot 75-70-70-72 -- 287 to finish tied for 16th.
The problem with Els' game plan in 1998 had to do with his inconsistent driver.
``You have got to drive the ball well to be aggressive on that course,'' Els said. ``I haven't really driven it that well.''
A case in point would be Els' play on the par-5 13th, a hole many players in the field reach in two shots. It was the third-easiest hole in 1998, playing to an average of 4.745, giving up 93 birdies and seven eagles.
``They go in there thinking of making four and I'm just trying to keep it out of the creek on the left,'' Els said. ``It's not a very positive way of playing that hole. I think I've found a good driver now.''
The driver, a Taylor-Made brand, helped Els win the Nissan Open earlier this season in his first PGA Tour start of the year. He followed that with a third-place finish at Doral.
This is the second straight year Els has won an event leading into the Masters, which is the first major championship each year. In 1998, he won the Bay Hill Invitational. That encourages Els, whose record in events leading up to the Masters in the past was less than stellar.
While Els is not going to attack the Augusta National this year, he's not going to back down much either.
``I've probably been giving the course too much respect,'' Els said. ``I have been trying to maybe find out too much about the golf course instead of letting my game play the golf course naturally.''
Though Els has finished in the top 20 in four of his five Masters appearances, he said, ``I haven't played the course the way I should play it. I have asked some players how to play it. They have given me some feedback, so we will see how it goes this year. I've got to be really on top of my game and just let it flow.''
You can tell when Els is in control of his game by his decisiveness and focus on the course. That has been lacking at times at the Augusta National.
``At Augusta, you've got to make up your mind that you're going to hit this shot 20 feet left of the hole and leave it under the hole,'' Els said. ``You've got to commit yourself to a shot and stick to it.
``I would say, in the past, I just never really saw the target. I would just get it on the green instead of seeing a target and going for the target. That's probably why I really haven't been in contention. I haven't been as focused and intense on the shots.''
Still, no matter how well Els may drive the ball in the Masters, he knows that unless he putts well, he won't contend.
``The greens at Augusta are tougher than other greens on the tour,'' Els said. ``You have to have more confidence with your putter. You have to be able to make 6-to 8-footers all day long. Putting is at a premium. Guys who have won the Masters have putted very well.''
Chip shots: Ernie Els
Els married longtime girlfriend Liezl on New Year's Eve in South Africa.
Els to pick spots to attack course
