Ernie Els News

ERNIE Els maintained a proud record of never having missed a cut at the Open as a professional yesterday when he undid the damage of an opening round of 80 thanks to a feisty 69.

The wind blew hard Thursday at the British Open at Royal Birkdale. John Daly blamed Butch Harmon for getting chilled ears and a runny nose.

Padraig Harrington's wrist hurt so much he wondered if he could even play in this British Open.

On another blustery day alongside the Irish Sea, Greg Norman tried to clinch a win for the ages.

The 53-year-old Aussie took a two-stroke lead into the final round Sunday of the British Open, seeking to become the oldest major champion in golf history. Wearing a black cap and sweater, he teed off in the final group with defending champion Padraig Harrington, who is only two strokes back.

Both used irons and landed in the fairway at the challenging first hole.

Now a part-time player, Norman had not taken a lead into the last round of a major since the 1996 Masters, where his epic collapse cleared the way for Nick Faldo to claim the green jacket. The Shark was at 2-over 212, while Harrington was tied for second with 36-hole leader K.J. Choi at 214.

Greg Norman makes a comeback. Photo: Reuters Richard Hinds July 20, 2008 FIRST it was the absence of Tiger Woods and even Kenny Perry that was the talk of this British Open.

SOUTHPORT, England - Former champion Ernie Els has been thwarted by a cold putter at this week's British Open, a problem he has wrestled with for most of the year.

High winds battered the third round of the British Open on Saturday with KJ Choi and Greg Norman going out last in what looked set to be a fascinating day's play.

From sunny San Diego to bleak and blustery Royal Birkdale, the expression on Rocco Mediate's face didn't change.

Scroll down for latest updates IRELAND'S Padraig Harrington began the defence of his Open title at Royal Birkdale today, battling the weather and the wrist injury which threatened his participation.

His electric duel with Tiger Woods, played before a large and enthusiastic gallery at San Francisco's Harding Park, vaulted Daly to No.

Ernie Els knows that Tiger Woods is thousands of miles away, resting his renovated left knee.

Former champion Ernie Els predicts a battle for survival in this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale where strong winds are likely to be a major factor.

Course: Royal Birkdale Golf Club . Purse: 4.2 million pounds sterling . Winner's share: 750,000 pounds sterling .

SOUTHPORT, England: More than 30 players have a chance of winning this week's British Open in the absence of Tiger Woods, according to former champion Ernie Els.

Colin Montgomerie is one of the favourites to captain the European Ryder Cup team in 2014.

BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, Royal Birkdale , Southport, Lancashire, England - For the first time since the 1996 PGA Championship, Tiger Woods will not be in the field at a major championship when the British ...

The youth movement in golf was going strong in the summer of 1997. Tiger Woods was coming off his first major championship, a 12-shot victory at the Masters to become its youngest champion at 21.

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland won the Scottish Open by two strokes Sunday after making three straight birdies on the back nine in a 3-under 68, and Phil Mickelson shot a 73 for a share of 38th.

A capsule look at 20 top players who could contend in the British Open, to be played July 17-20 at Royal Birkdale TREVOR IMMELMAN Age: 28.

LONDON -- Apparently they're persisting with plans to hold a British Open starting Thursday, and apparently fans remain intent on attending it in droves, and apparently Britons will employ one of their various ...