Client News
Els aiming to blow away his rivals
Jeju, Korea, 24 April 2010 - Superstar Ernie Els is hoping the wind will keep blowing at the Ballantine’s Championship as he chases his third title of the year.
The world No.7 heads into the final round of the €2.2 million showpiece at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, Korea, just two shots behind leader Marcus Fraser of Australia.
Els compiled a three-under-par 69 in blustery conditions on Saturday and said he could have shot even lower.
“It could have been a lot better,” insisted the South African. “I missed a lot of putts out there but I played pretty solidly. I had one three-putt and a lot of birdie misses. I’m playing nicely, so I’ve got half a chance tomorrow.”
Jeju’s famous blustery conditions made life difficult for the players on Saturday and Els said he was hoping for more of the same.
“I’d like to see it tough tomorrow, because even today, if I had made some putts, I could have shot somewhere in the middle 60s,” he said.
“So I like the conditions the way they are. I’d like to see it tough, otherwise there are too many guys in it.”
The tournament – co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA – has been reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.
Fraser, who shot 70 on Saturday to reach nine-under 135, leads by one shot from Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Argentina’s Tano Goya.
Three-time Major winner Els is on seven-under with Korean Ted Oh and Brett Rumford of Australia.
Els – winner of the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour last month – said he was looking forward to the final round.
“Obviously, I’ve got to get off to a good start,” he said. “I’ve got to really play the par fives well, hopefully make some birdies, maybe eagles. I need a low one, so hopefully I’ll play well.”
About Ballantine’s
Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.
Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.
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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.