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 Ernie Els' prodigious drives were a hot topic at the Mercedes, but it was deft putts like his 100-foot lag on 13 that were the real keys to victory
By Brad Redding
It seemed as though the only thing ESPN's announcers could talk about at the Mercedes was how far Ernie Els was blasting his new driver, but on Sunday evening Els said that the key to his victory was a brilliant two-putt from 100 feet at the par-4 13th (above). After grazing the hole with a gorgeous lag putt and then coolly rolling in the five-foot comebacker, Els picked up an important stroke on his nearest pursuer, K.J. Choi, who three-jacked from 80 feet. Choi would never threaten again as Els cruised to an eight-shot triumph. Yes, it was fun to watch Els bank his ball off the Plantation course's sloping fairways on the way to the occasional 400-yard tee shot, but distance control with the flat stick on the gigantic greens is what kept him in command during his record-breaking win. Els was laser sharp with his lag putting during the final round, avoiding a single three-putt. He has been nicknamed the Big Easy because of his languid swing and unflappable demeanor, but the moniker is just as apt for his putting stroke, one of the Tour's best. Els's win proves that even in this age of the long ball, Tour players still drive for show and putt for dough.
Brad Redding, 40, director of instruction at Hartefeld National in Avondale, Pa., is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. Issue date: January 20, 2003
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Courtesy of ESPN
