This is a pleasant surprise: after two rounds, Ernie Els is tied for ninth at the U.S. Open. If this was 2000-2004, it would hardly be news, but Els, the two-time U.S. Open champion, has recently fallen on hard times, even though he won at the Honda Classic earlier this year. As I mentioned earlier this week, in the 16 rounds since Els won the Honda -- and prior to the Open -- he's fired one 71, three 72s, four 73s, five 74s, a 75, 76 and a 78.
And all Els does is go out and fire a 70-72 during the first two days at Torrey Pines. Maybe Butch Harmon, who recently replaced Els' longtime coach, David Leadbetter, had something to do with it, or perhaps it's because Els went back to above-the-neck coach and resident "wacko" (Tim Rosaforte's words, not mine) Jos Vanstiphout. Whatever, it's working:
"Mentally, I'm good. Mentally, I'm really up for it. I've got no problem getting myself motivated," said Els ...Els has three major victories but like every other golfer older than Woods, he's been unable to consistently challenge the world's best player. And while he might not win this week, two solid rounds could go a long way in helping Ernie rediscover his game.
How did it feel to be in the hunt at a major championship? First, a stare. Then, a terse, "It feels good," because the answer should have been obvious. Of course, he was happy, because since making his debut in the US Open 15 years ago and winning his first major the next summer, these are the tournaments for which he plays.
