AUGUSTA, Ga. — Ernie Els officially acknowledged Tuesday that he’s taken the next step to chase down Tiger Woods, severing ties with longtime coach David Leadbetter in favor of Butch Harmon.
“I’ve been with him (Leadbetter) since I think, 1990, so it’s close to 20 years, our friendship and working relationship,” Els said. “I just wanted to go get a different feel, get different words coming toward me, and just find a bit more about how Butch is teaching.”
Currently No. 3 in the world golf rankings, Els was initially seen working with Harmon a few weeks ago during the Florida swing of the PGA Tour. He is the second top-five player to move towards Harmon in the last year. Phil Mickelson, No. 2 behind Woods, switched from Rick Smith to Harmon last spring and won the Players Championship a short time later.
Els admitted that converting Harmon’s thoughts into a victory this week at the Masters may be a little too much to ask.
Pairings announced.
Woods drew an interesting pairing for the opening two rounds, playing alongside 2007 U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera and Stuart Appleby. Woods and Appleby comprised the final pairing in last year’s tournament.
Mickelson, the 2004 and ’06 champion, will play with K.J. Choi and up-and-comer Andres Romero of Argentina. Defending champion Zach Johnson will join Luke Donald and Geoff Ogilvy.
Into the fray.
When he strikes his first shot Thursday, Gary Player will set a Masters record, playing here for the 50th consecutive year.
“This will probably be my No. 1 accomplishment in golf,” Player, who has won nine major championships, said Tuesday. “Most people my age (72) are dead, so to be playing at Augusta at my age is a cause to be thankful. Very few 70-year-olds can walk around this golf course.”
Although he missed the cut last season, Player, a three-time Masters winner, had one of the better rounds of the tournament’s early going, shooting a 77 on Friday in brutal conditions.
Anthony Cotton, The Denver Post
