Ernie's mental game missing

2008-06-03 13:41

Johannesburg - Ernie Els says he needs to work on his mental game ahead of the US Open which tees off on June 12 at Torrey Pines in California.

After missing consecutive cuts in his last two outings Els has opted not to play in this week's Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis to concentrate on his preparation for the Open.

"My swing feels good and I'm starting to hit the ball better every week that passes," wrote Els on his website. "But mentally I'm just not where I need to be right now. That's why I'm not getting the results. It's as simple as that."

Els said rather than playing competitively he would spend time this week in West Palm Beach working on his game.

"I've been playing this game a long time now and I' ve been a professional almost 20 years. I know these things happen. The important thing is, I'm satisfied that I'm doing what I need to do to get through this. I've probably hit more golf balls this past month or so than I have at any other time in my career."

Els, who won the US Open in 1994 and 1997, will also seek some advice from golf guru Butch Harmon.

"On the way over to California I think I'll drop in to see Butch at the weekend and spend a few days with him. I just need to get myself mentally in the right place, so to speak. Then I can begin to execute my shots properly."

But Els, seeking his fourth Major, still feels confident of his chances despite his run of poor form.

"Funnily enough, I think the US Open might be coming at just the right time for me. It's a tournament that'll really help focus my mind."

- SAPA