Els, Schwartzel and Harrington Vie For C A Championship at Doral

by Kathy Bissell

If you are a house guest, does etiquette require you to lose to your host in a golf tournament?  If not, what kind of thank you gift do you send?

How does one know when one has seen a million wildebeest, 300,000 gazelles and 200,000 zebras galloping? Who is in charge of counting them?

If you are Irish, does it mean that, if you wear a green tie, you are entitled to a victory before or after St. Paddy’s day? 

If you are headed to a golf tournament and see a freeway sign that says “five right lanes blocked” at the exit you need, do you wait or do you exit earlier and follow the blimp to your destination?

Can you be a TPC course without stadium mounds for spectators?

Many if of these questions will be answered by the end of the day Sunday at the CA Championship at Doral’s Blue Monster.

After three rounds, 40-year old Ernie Els, one of golf’s classiest guys, is tied with countryman and houseguest Charl Schwartzel, 15 years his junior. To make matter stranger, Schwartzel came up in through the South African junior golf foundation that Els supports. Els used to play golf with Schwartzel’s father. And Schwartzel is staying Els another week.

“He might be sleeping in the garden,” Els joked about the possibility that Schwartzel might win. “He owes me. I fed him well.  I gave him good wine. And we practiced at the Bear’s Club and played Seminole.” 

Any normal house guest would hit a couple out of bounds to secure a loss to Els, but this is professional golf and the victory matters.  

Els has not won in the US victory since 2008 at the Honda Classic, after which he announced that his son Ben has autism.  He does not use that as an excuse.  “I just haven’t played that well,” he said matter-of-factly.

Saturday’s difficulties he blamed on what he labeled soft mistakes and some missed putts. “I think it could have been the breeze,” he added. “ I’m 6’4”, and I moved around a  little bit or feels like it.  I think it was a bit of a weak point today.”  Had a couple of lip ours and edge putts dropped he would have called it a very good day.  

How anyone would not move around in what seemed like a 12-club wind is anyone’s guess. Blustery does not describe it. “No-hairspray-is-strong-enough” wind does.

Els added,” I just think it’s very cool.  It’s a great story.”  

It may not be as “cool” as when Els and Retief Goosen were paired in the final round of the US Open at Shinnecock, but it’s attention getting in their homeland.

“He’s going to try and win. I’m going to try and win,” Els said.

Schwartzel was called the Next Big Thing by Sports Illustrated three years ago, which is usually like having career plague.  However, after two victories on the European Tour in 2010, he is already having the best year of his professional life.  He attributes the success to a change in attitude.

“The last couple of months, I’ve got a lot better frame of mind,” he explained. I just feel more positive, and I believe in myself more.”  He said the transformation came as a result of something his father said.   

“My dad used to tell me --- I hate to admit that you know – when your dad tells you something,” Schwartzel explained. “He used to say ‘ You’re getting down on yourself. You’re too hard on yourself. You need to be more relaxed and positive.’ “.

Over a winter break, Schwartzel gave it some thought.

“I had a good holiday, and I came back, and it sort of just changed. I started thinking a lot better,” he added.

In 2009, Schwartzel went on a safari where he supposedly saw the aforementioned wildebeest, gazelles and zebras. It’s not like golf, where you have to count everything, or he’d still be there doing the wildebeest tally. 

Padraig Harrington, one back of Els and Schwartzel due to an unfortunate three-putt at the 18^th, is making a special trip to White House next Wednesday where St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated at a state dinner for Ireland’s head of state. What could be more appropriate?  As a trade off for the Tampa tournament’s pro-am, he’s going to do something for the tournament on Monday since he will not be available those days. He anticipates returning Wednesday late.

When asked if the event was black tie, Harrington said, “It’s a green tie ( event).  Brought my green tie with me.” 

Camillo Villegas and Phil Mickelson had galleries and autograph seekers lined up five deep looking like the days when Greg Norman and Fred Couples and Jack Nicklaus used to pack them in at Doral. 

Arriving to the course later than expected on Saturday, it was almost a no show as the 826 freeway had a sign that said five lanes closed at 87^th street. Well it was backed up well in front of that, but the blimp was visible in the sky.  With the blimp leading the way, it was possible to find the resort. Leave it to Snoopy!

TPC stands for Tournament Players Club, and while Doral’s Blue Monster course may have that designation, it should not be confused with the other TPCs which have mounding for better viewing of golf.  You know, just in case you can’t see over the five deep for Phil and Camillo. 

So, will it be a US first for Schwartzel, will it be an end to the victory pause for Els or will it be the luck of the Irish for Harrington? Tough choices all.  The winds are picking up coming from the west out of the Everglades.  While Els, Schwartzel and Harrington are closest to the lead, anyone within five shots certainly has a chance.