Excerpts from an Interview:
Ernie, the reigning Open Champion at the wheel of a British Icon: is that a perfect combination?
Ernie Els: “Absolutely. Rolls-Royce is a unique brand, which speaks for itself. That is something it definitely has in common with the Open, which is the biggest of the four Majors. In that sense, they really suit each other very well.”
The feeling of driving a Rolls-Royce is often described as a “magic carpet ride”. Did you feel like you were on a magic carpet?
Els: “Yes, it really does feel like that. Magic is precisely the right word. It is simply fantastic. I have driven a lot of cars over the course of my life, but never a Rolls-Royce. I was actually a bit nervous about driving it. Rolls-Royce is obviously a big status symbol. If you can afford to buy a Rolls-Royce, you have obviously done something right with your life.”
The BMW International Open is still missing from the long list of tournaments you have won. Will that change in 2013?
Els: “I have always liked München Eichenried. I have been playing here since 1997. Unfortunately I don’t know why the other guys have always played better here than me. I have often had problems on the odd hole. That said, I love the course and the city.”
Why are BMW tournaments held in such high regard on the Tour?
Els: “Tournament Director Marco Kaussler has a wealth of experience when it comes to organising the tournament, and does a fantastic job. The way he looks after the players is sensational. The fact that we all feel so happy here is largely down to him. But you could say the same for everyone at BMW – and you really feel that as a player.”
Do you like Germany and, in particular, the host city of Munich?
Els: “I have not seen all that much of Germany or Munich over the course of my career. In recent years I have been out to some restaurants in the evening, but don’t ask me which ones. Unfortunately we never see enough of the cities, as we spend most of our time at the golf course. However, I am impressed by what I have seen of Munich. It is a beautiful and very clean city, which is very popular among South African tourists. I am sure I will come over for Oktoberfest one day.”
News Source: BMW
