Ernie Els

Ernie Els has 71 professional career victories to his name, including four Major Championships, two World Golf Championships and a record seven World Matchplay titles.

As a former World No.1 Els is one of the most prolific winners of his generation and the global reach of his victories is almost without parallel. He has triumphed in tournaments in South Africa, Europe, the US, Asia, the Far East, the Middle East and Australasia. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and the South African Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Els was born in South Africa on 17 October 1969. As a youngster, he was outstanding in cricket, rugby and tennis. At the age of 13 he won a significant regional tennis event, the Eastern Transvaal Junior Championships. A year later aged 14 and playing off scratch, Els won the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego, California, beating Phil Mickelson into second place. He was just 16 years old when he formally competed against professional golfers. He was awarded his Junior Springbok colours in 1984, the State President Sports Award in 1987, and in 1988 his full Springbok colours.

After his son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, him and his wife founded Els for Autism, a game-changing resource, delivering and facilitating programs that are leading examples of what can be available to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).