When I saw the forecast for afternoon wind, I told my wife that Ernie had a shot. The country is celebrating big time!
Ernie has been working with the Sports Science Institute at the University of Cape Town. That is where world-renowned sports scientist, Prof Tim Noakes, is located. They have recently been working on diet and nutrition and other elements and there were rumors that Els had been making strides with his hand-eye coordination.
It broke my heart when he missed that very makeable putt on 17 and you could hear our neighborhood erupting when he sank the putt on 18.
I must be honest; I was hoping that Scott would sink the putt on 18 and lose in the playoff. How incredibly sad to watch him implode. He showed us all a lot about how to lose with grace.
That said, what a gentlemen Ernie Els is! So quiet in the work that he does to help others. Not only in autism but in golf. Two of the top 20 in the field were graduates of his programme here. Three more graduates were lower in the field, making the cut and finishing today.
South Africa is very fortunate to have such an ambassador. There will be big celebrating tonight!