South African Ernie Els will launch his bid for a fourth World Match Play Championship crown on Friday just 12 days after the birth of his son Ben. The world number three, who won an unprecedented hat-trick of titles at Wentworth's West Course between 1994 and 1996, was forced to withdraw from the final round of this month's Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews after his wife Liezl went into labour.
Els flew from Scotland to Farnborough airport by private plane, eventually arriving at Guildford hospital just 45 minutes before the birth of his second child. "It was a close run thing, but I was thrilled that I made it in time. It was really important to me and obviously Liezl too, that I was there for the birth. I wouldn't want it any other way," said Els.
Although most of his attention since then has been focused on the baby brother to his three-year-old daughter Samantha, the British Open champion is delighted to be back at Wentworth for his first World Match Play appearance in three years. "I'm really looking forward to this week and it'll be fun to play in it again, which I haven't been able to do in the last couple of years," added Els.
Filed by James Shortt
