ELS GATHERS IN THE EAST

Few golfers escape the long shadow Tiger Woods casts over the world game. A record breaking 2006, including his twelfth major title, ensures Woods is doing battle with the past as much as the present, competing with legends as rivals are laid to rest. But after a turbulent few years Ernie Els, Woods' foremost tracker and a former world number one himself, is back on the trail and ready to re-emerge. Els “the Big Easy”, known as such for his un-storm like temperament, is gathering once again.
What’s more he has a plan. Three years, from this, to topple the Tiger and take the title of world number one. The only question, how? “Its pretty simple” admits Els referring to the strategy rather than the objective of course. “I am going to rededicating himself 100 percent to golf… give myself the best possible chance of winning every tournament I tee up for”. Woods beware, an injury free Els claims his game is “really close” to where it needs to be. Woods' response to this declaration of intent was similarly defiant. Els should keep improving, as he would do the same. Could a storm be brewing? “May be Tiger will up it… but I am going to give it everything”.
Such predictions build pressure. There was a time when Els confesses to having been affected by what some have termed ‘Tigeritis’. But is now insistent. "There is pressure as people will keep asking me about it … but I stand by what I have said". After all he is the ‘Big Easy’ laid back to a tee. He is known as much for his mild demeanor as his lengthy flowing swing. An off course confrontation is doubtful then but on the fairways hopes are high. Following a rough couple of seasons he expects to be back among the majors.
A sound testing stage for Els’ aims will be this months BMW Asian Open. Physically he is ready. “I’m in the best shape for twenty years", he claims. That's a considerable feat itself after a career threatening injury two years ago. A boat accident during a family holiday in July 2005 ruptured the anterior ligament in his left knee requiring reconstructive surgery. It has been a long journey back testing him to the limits. “Physically it was tough... mentally it was even tougher. When you get an injury like that it’s in the back of you mind for a while”. On his return at the beginning of the 2006 season the 6ft 3" South African continued to stumble. “My brain was telling me it was going to hurt so I didn't want to go out there”. Confidence gradually reformed. “You slowly learn to trust your knee again”.
It was not until the South African Open in December that Els earned his first tour victory for a year. The thrill of winning his home event, to him the imaginary fifth major, was tempered by relief. It would have been the first year in fifteen that he failed to win a tournament. Unthinkable for a golfer with 62 career victories and three major titles to his name.
Lost time has meant lost ranking points in the pursuit of top spot. Els will be looking to develop momentum at the BMW event. Held at the Tomson Pudong Club in Shanghai holds sweet memories. The course record is his following a crushing 13 stroke victory in 2005. This year’s event will be far tougher. The field includes fellow South African and two time major winner Retief Goosen, along with Ryder Cup heroes Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey. Tiger Woods won’t be there. But being China one Tiger will be present; the son of Zhang Lianwei China's leading contender. Zhang himself has tasted victory over Els before. In a climatic ending to the 2003 Caltex Singapore Masters the then world number two was defeated at the last. A moment Zhang rates amongst his career highlights along with being the first Chinese player to participate in the Masters at Augusta.
Zhang has long been China’s golfing pioneer. "I have been under this kind of pressure since 1994 when I won the champion in Asia Games 1994 in Hiroshima". The son of a farmer from the Guangdong province Zhang only got into the costly game by “coincidence". "Before 1985 I didn’t know what golf was. But after that I played as an amateur for almost ten years”. Els is also from a farming background though of contrasting economic color. A Japanese couple set up the first golf course near Zhang's home town of Zhuhai where he found employment. “My salary was RMB 170/month. I had no money to buy any golf facilities”.
Zhang’s success has aided the game in China no end. For the first time the BMW Asian Open and China Open will be played back to back in the same city. After the success of the HSBC Champions also in Shanghai last November prophecies are rife of the rise of Asian countries especially China in the sport. BMW is keen to quell suggestions that sponsors rather than golf is being exclusively promoted in these emerging markets. Tickets are available for free through internet application. Participation though if not spectatorship remains the reserve of the rich. Still holding little sway with the wider public. Zhang aspirations to change this have faltered. “I have a plan (to setup a golfing academy). But it is not happening because without support from government I can do nothing".
One man with academies in China is coach David Leadbetter who has coached Ernie Els. The latest openned in Shanghai last November. Els has developed his own academy, the Fancourt Foundation, in his homeland. It provides youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds the chance to gain expert coaching and education. "It’s a real buzz for me ... the opportunities in life aren’t always there for these kids". Some even travel to other countries to compete. Something that Els, known as somewhat of an internationalist, has a passion for. "Every country and its fans have a special feel; that’s what I love about playing golf all over the world". While critics say it has exhausted him and affected performances Els “couldn't disagree more. It has made me a better player. I’ve been doing it this way for 15 years and everyone would agree that my tournament record is pretty good”. As well as the obvious pleasure of traveling the globe playing golf from tee to green. It’s a responsibility. "I think as one of the top players we almost have an obligation to play golf in different parts of the world".
Els is playing his role. But for the next three years at least his game is his priority. China may prove to be the future but the South African is yet to be found in the past; the ‘Big Easy’ is adamant that the present, legacy chasing Woods included, is still within his sizeable swing.

A1 AMBITIONS

In the modern sporting climate of big money contracts, franchises, and celebrity, notions of patriotism, parity, inclusion and developing countries would seem to hold little purchase, least of all in motor sport. Not so for its latest conception, A1 GP the “world cup of motor sport”.
Despite being in only its third season, the A1’s 11 round series gathers teams from 23 countries, from the US to Lebanon, with national rivalries generating interest beyond a racing fans base and offering a release for pent up patriotism. Further to this, David Clare, A1 GP’s chief operating officer, says the aim is to provide a catalyst for the development of motor sport in non-traditional markets. Why? “Because that’s where the population centers are,” he explains, adding that limits on team spending and technology have been designed to allow these less developed nations to compete with the richest.
The direct benefit of which is much closer racing, says Clare, racing that puts to the fans close to the action, providing a heightened sense of speed, and drama. That greater accessibility, for rich and relatively poor alike, is new to a sport that often thrives on the allure of exclusivity. Asked what tickets will actually cost, Clare, without revealing the price, says it will come as a pleasant surprise. Thus, with such ambitions, combating the inevitable comparisons with, and distinguishing from, the motor sport giant, Formula One. Not that Clare is worried about that sort of competition. “We have created our own space,” he says, pointing out that the “F1 is technological warfare; it is company versus company competing.”
One battle that A1 must confront is on a cultural level, in the host non-traditional motor sports market of China. Being relatively new to the game, explains Mr Guang, manager of Team China, most Chinese cannot judge the quality of a given car just by listening to the sound of the engine.
Though the A1 aims have struck accord. “Its very important to the government, its representing the country and in China for sports to become successful you really need government backing”. After achieving its first podium finish in Sydney optimism is high within Team China as the series rolls into Shanghai this month. It’s second visit to China this season following a raw street race in Beijing last November such is the importance of the Chinese market to the newest form of motor sport. Despite its more traditional appeal.