Ernie Els turned 57 this month and he is still swinging as smoothly as ever. On PGA Tour Champions in 2026 he made every one of his 19 cuts with eight top-10 finishes, sitting sixth in the Charles Schwab Cup standings at the time of writing.
That effortless rhythm earned him the nickname The Big Easy, four major titles and a place among the game's greats. Here is his story, and you can shop every design in our Ernie Els collection.
Ernie Els Fact File
| Full name | Theodore Ernest Els |
| Date of birth | 17 October 1969 (age 57) |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Turned professional | 1989 |
| Current status | Playing on PGA Tour Champions |
| Highest ranking | World No. 1 (1997) |
| Nickname | The Big Easy |
Career History
| Tour / Category | Years | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1994–2012 | 19 |
| European Tour (now DP World Tour) | 1990s–2010s | 28 |
| Major championships | 1994–2012 | 4 |
| PGA Tour Champions | 2020– | 7 |
| Total professional wins | 1989– | 79 |
Wins figures are official totals; some events count on more than one tour, so the rows do not add up to the career total of 79.
Junior Champion From Johannesburg
Els showed his gift early. In 1984 he won the World Junior Golf Championships in the 13–14 boys' division, and in 1986 he became the youngest winner of the South African Amateur.
He turned professional in 1989, and his tall frame and languid tempo soon became one of the most recognisable sights in the game.
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Oakmont and Congressional
Els's major breakthrough came at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont, where he won a play-off. Three years later he won the US Open again at Congressional, and in June 1997 he rose to world No. 1.
He also became the king of match play, winning a record seven World Match Play titles at Wentworth.
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Claret Jugs at Muirfield and Lytham
In 2002 Els lifted the Claret Jug at Muirfield, winning The Open after a four-man play-off. A full decade later, in 2012, he came from behind to win The Open again at Royal Lytham & St Annes, his fourth major.
He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2010 and inducted in 2011, and he captained the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup.
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A New Chapter on the Senior Tour
Els joined PGA Tour Champions in 2020 and has won seven times. In 2024 he claimed three titles, including his first senior major at the Kaulig Companies Championship, and in January 2025 he won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
His 2026 season has been a model of consistency, with every cut made and eight top-10s.
Honours
Major championships
- US Open: 1994 (Oakmont), 1997 (Congressional)
- The Open: 2002 (Muirfield), 2012 (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
Other titles
- World Match Play: 7 titles (a record)
- Senior major: Kaulig Companies Championship (2024)
Individual
- World No. 1 (1997)
- World Golf Hall of Fame (elected 2010, inducted 2011)
- Presidents Cup International captain (2019)
Away From the Course
Els and his wife Liezl have long campaigned for autism awareness, launching the Els for Autism Pro-Am in 2009 after going public about their son's autism in 2008. He also founded the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation to help young golfers from disadvantaged backgrounds, and runs golf course design and winemaking businesses.
FAQs
How old is Ernie Els?
Ernie Els was born on 17 October 1969, so he is 57 years old.
Where was Ernie Els born?
He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
How tall is Ernie Els?
Els stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m).
How many majors has Ernie Els won?
Four: the US Open in 1994 and 1997, and The Open in 2002 and 2012.
Why is Ernie Els called The Big Easy?
The nickname comes from his size and his famously smooth, unhurried swing and temperament.
Was Ernie Els ever world No. 1?
Yes. He first reached world No. 1 on 22 June 1997 and held the top spot for nine weeks.
Shop the Ernie Els Collection
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Ernie Els Men's Hoodie
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Shop every design in our Ernie Els collection. Explore the full golf collection for more major winners. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Tom Watson Career Story and Nick Faldo Career Story.
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