Ernie Els shoots for third Grand Slam title

MONDAY, JULY 23: Hall of Fame golfer Ernie Els, who won his fourth Major championship Sunday at The Open, has qualified for the 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda which this year includes two first-time Majors winners – Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.

In 2010, Ernie Els came from behind to win his second PGA Grand Slam of Golf title in Bermuda. He earned an invitation as an alternate that year.

David Charles, senior director of Championships for the PGA of America, said: “Ernie Els is one of the greatest champions in the history of golf and always a crowd favorite, so he undoubtedly raises the value of a ticket to the Grand Slam.

“And if Ernie’s visit is anything close to 2010, golf fans are in for a real treat.”

Two years ago, before the two-day Championship at Port Royal Golf Course, Ernie Els played a spot of cricket on the sixteenth tee with legendary cricketer Brian Lara. Els and Lara are longtime friends and played together in the Grand Slam Pro-am. 

Andy Burrows, chairman of the 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, said: “The sight of the South African and West Indian playing cricket – and golf – together delighted fans. It was very memorable. 

“Ernie talked openly about what a great time he and his family had during their last visit to Bermuda. It will be a pleasure to host them again.”

The Grand Slam features the winners of the year’s four Major championships – the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.  The final qualifier is decided August 12 at the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island.

The 30th PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be played October 22-24 and broadcast to a worldwide audience on TNT. It will be hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Port Royal Golf Course and the Fairmont Southampton.

Ticket-carrying fans get closer to the pros at the Grand Slam than at any other competitive golf tournament.  Because there is only one group during the event, spectators are permitted to follow the players down the fairways of every hole, standing just a few feet from the action in some cases.

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features a $1.35 million purse, with the winner receiving $600,000; second place $300,000; third place $250,000; and fourth place $200,000.