PAARL (17 December 2008) – Ernie Els is generally a very gracious host. Earlier this week he entertained a few of the world’s top professionals at his new restaurant in Stellenbosch. But when it comes to the South African Open Championship, that’s where Els’ hospitality ends.

"We don’t want any foreigner winning our national tournament," Els said on the eve of this year’s championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.

It was said in jest, but it does reveal Els’ passion for a national Open which he says he owes a lot to.

"The South African Open launched my career when I won it in 1992, so I owe this tournament a lot of gratitude," he said, adding that he was looking forward to taking on the strongest field in the history of this event.

"I’ve had a good break and the swing feels okay. I’ve had a lot of time off, so I’m pretty fresh. This is a tournament I really wanted to come and play. Hopefully it goes really well and I’m looking forward to a big year next year. My family life has settled down now and I can concentrate on playing my best golf. I’m throwing a lot of energy back into my game and I’d like to use this tournament to tee off a good year next year.”

A year ago, Trevor Immelman sat in front of the media talking about his love for this championship, and a day later had to withdraw from the tournament for what was later diagnosed as a tumour. A year on and Immelman can’t believe how his life has changed since that moment.
"It’s mind-boggling what’s happened since, with me winning the Masters and everything," said Immelman, who was also given honorary membership of the European Tour on Wednesday.

And the young South African’s experience of going from heartbreak to golfing heaven has given him a different take on the foreign challenge this week.

"I have this theory that everybody has their day in the sun. I believe you just go out there and work and play as hard as you can, and the best guy at the end of the week will win. It’ll obviously be fantastic to keep the trophy in South African hands, and I’ll be doing my best. But we have such a strong field this week that anybody could win."

Only six foreigners have ever won the South African Open, the last being Swede Mathias Gronberg in 2000.

With a field including the in-form Henrik Stenson, world number ten Lee Westwood, Ryder Cup player Justin Rose, former Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke, rising Irish star Rory McIlroy and a host of other European Tour campaigners, the foreign challenge this year will be a strong one.

And that’s the message Westwood has for his good friend Els.

"There are a lot of good foreigners here this week so Ernie will have his work cut out for him. But he needs to start talking nicer to us if he wants us to go to his restaurant down the road. That’s not good public relations for a restaurateur," Westwood said with a smile.

By Michael Vlismas