Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson are two of the game’s greatest players with nine Majors between them. Do you know the story of their first meeting?
The star duo met in 1984 at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, where Els beat hometown hero Mickelson for the title.
‘Do you see how grumpy Phil looks there (chuckling)?,’ said Els, looking at the photo from that tournament.
‘It was quite a while ago, I can tell you.
‘We had a great time. It was my first time ever to the United States and what a place to go play golf at in San Diego. I guess that was the first time we met.
‘We played; I think we played 18 holes together there that time, and I would never have thought that we’d be playing, you know, basically for life, 100th major now. It started in a very nice, sunny beautiful place in San Diego. We’re still going here, quite a few years.’
Mickelson has gone on to edge Els by one in the Major stakes, but he remembers that event too.
‘I remember that final round,’ said Mickelson.
‘I remember a shot you hit in the final round on No 3. It was a par 5, and you had it about 20 yards short of the green, 30 yards short of the green and you hit this little skipping, spinning wedge shot that checked up about a foot from the hole, and that’s when I knew you were going to be a good player because I had not seen anybody else at 14 hit that shot.
‘You went on to win that day. Beat me and the rest of the field. It’s amazing that we’ve played together and against each other for so many years. It doesn’t seem that long ago from those days, but it sure looks a long time ago (laughter).’
The duo now become the 13th and 14th players to have teed up in 100 or more Majors.
The 100 Majors Club
1. Jack Nicklaus – 164 majors
2. Gary Player – 150 majors
3. Tom Watson – 145 majors
4. Arnold Palmer – 142 majors
5. Raymond Floyd – 127 majors
6. Sam Snead – 119 majors
7. Ben Crenshaw – 118 majors
8. Gene Sarazen – 112 majors
9. Tom Kite – 109 majors
10. Mark O’Meara – 109 majors
11. Bernhard Langer – 104 majors
12. Sir Nick Faldo – 100 majors
13. Ernie Els – 100 majors
14. Phil Mickelson – 100 majors
