The return of the Big Easy

[Gxgolfer]

By Doug Ferguson

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The Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa is one of the best boondoggles in the silly season, a 12-man exhibition in Sun City with $1.2 million for the winner. Expect one player to feel the pressure on the first tee Thursday.

Ernie Els is back.

Four months after surgery to repair ligaments in his left knee, the Big Easy returns to golf and already is off to a good start. On the first hole of his first practice round, he hit 9-iron into 20 feet and made the birdie putt.

"I'm very excited and, to be honest with you, I feel really fortunate to have my health back and to be in a position to play again," Els said Monday on his Web site. "My game feels like it's in pretty nice shape."

Els had surgery July 28 and missed the PGA Championship, the Presidents Cup, failed to win on the PGA Tour for the first time in four years and saw his world ranking slip to No. 5.

He won't return to the PGA Tour until the Nissan Open at Riviera in February.

"I actually feel pretty nervous about playing again," Els said. "I've spoken to a few guys who had a similar experience to me, with not being able to play because of injury. They all said the same thing. When you come back, there's that extra element of the unknown, which we're not used to. But nerves aren't a bad thing."

[Langlands]

Welcome back big yin, not been the same without you.

 

Who else is playing at Sun City this week? Usually a strong field.

[Gxgolfer]

Some notables:

 

Stewart Cink (USA)

Tim Clark (South Africa)

Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland)

Luke Donald (England)

Kenny Perry (USA)

Angel Cabrera (Argentina)

Jim Furyk (USA)

Chris DiMarco (USA)

Adam Scott (Australia)

Sergio Garcia (Spain)

Retief Goosen (South Africa)

Ernie Els (South Africa)

[Langlands]

Great field! Tempted to throw a sickie from work now, the coverage starts at 9.00am here. :) :cheesy:

[Langlands]

Great field! Tempted to throw a sickie from work now, the coverage starts at 9.00am here. :) :cheesy: