Four Majors. A legendary career. A sharp eye that can read the present of golf like few others. Ernie Els needs no introduction. This week, the South African visited Vilamoura to officially present the Portugal Invitational. It will be the first tournament in the history of the PGA Tour Champions to be held in Europe, and it will take place in the summer of 2026 at the newly reopened The Els Club Vilamoura, designed by the South African player himself.
Beyond his enthusiasm for the new event, there was one name that caught his attention. Scottie Scheffler matched this Sunday the same Majors won by the South African: “What Scottie is doing now is impressive. His performance and his way of winning inevitably remind us of Tiger,” Els clearly stated, one of the great rivals of the best Woods. “He’s taking advantages from the start. For me, the big evolution is that he’s no longer afraid to win. That is a fundamental difference. Knowing how to win makes you relentless.”
For Els, Scheffler’s mental evolution has been as important as his technical solidity. “He doesn’t have a real weakness. If anything, his struggle —what used to be an uncertainty— has now become a strength. He doesn’t fall apart. He accepts mistakes and moves on. It’s very interesting to watch. I would love to closely follow what he will do in the next five or ten years.”
The comparison with Tiger Woods is not made lightly. The South African knows well what it means to fight against a legend. He experienced firsthand the tyranny of the Californian. “Scottie is not Tiger, of course. However, his way of dominating, executing the plan without hesitation, and making others play against him more than against the course… that reminds us a lot of what Tiger used to do.”
Asked whether American players, traditionally less comfortable on links courses, are adapting better than ever, Els did not hesitate: “It’s about adapting. If you’re a good ball striker, you can be one on a links as well. Hitting well from the centre of the club doesn’t depend on surfaces. There are many examples: David Duval, Phil Mickelson, and now Scottie. They all learned to master this type of course.”
For the South African, it’s not so much about style but attitude: “Good players learn quickly. Those who are committed to understanding golf in any condition end up succeeding on links. Scheffler is doing it.”
With the aftermath of the end of the last Major of the year, Ernie also made a wish clear. He longs for the Open Championship to return soon to Muirfield, where he achieved one of his most iconic victories. “I don’t know why it hasn’t returned. It’s been more than ten years. I would love to see Muirfield back in the rotation. It’s one of the best courses out there. Turnberry should also return soon,” he assured. For now, he will have to wait; in 2026, the event will be held at Royal Birkdale, and a year later, the Open returns to St Andrews.
In addition to the tournament presentation, Ernie was able to play nine holes with Collin Montgomerie and David Duval in what marked the reopening of the course. A legendary trio. The Els Club has been redesigned, and the South African wanted to test the changes firsthand. The reality is that the condition of the course is excellent and more than ready to host an event of such calibre. Els acknowledges that he has driven this project with great intensity: “I am very excited to see this tournament grow,” Els pointed out. “It’s great news for Europe, for senior golf, and for all of us who have dedicated our lives to this sport. I believe it will be a great success.” There are few doubts that it will be.
