Is Els An Underachiever?
Mike Purkey of NBC Sports asks the question: Is Ernie Els an underachiever?
He points out that Els is one of the most talented players in the game—long off the tee, an excellent irons player with a terrific short game and—more recently—a solid putting stroke. And while The Big Easy has won 15 times on the PGA Tour, has three Majors and 43 worldwide victories, Purkey has the nagging feeling that he has fallen short of his potential. So with all of those skills, why? Purkey writes:
Perhaps the real answer is that the Big Easy is Too Easy. Call it the Davis Love III Syndrome, but Els just might be too nice to win majors. Like Love, Els is superbly talented but isn’t mean enough to succeed often enough on the biggest stages. Woods wants to cut out your heart and stomp on it, whether he’s playing the Masters or ping-pong.
If he’s an underachiever, I put him up there with Davis Love and Fred Couples—guys who I’ve long admired for their game, but who havent’ put together the indelible careers that they seem to deserve.
Purkey’s article is a good read.
I’d also like to know who else you think is an underachiever on tour. Leave a comment.
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Comments
Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia. A lot of talent, but they don’t apply themselves. I think both think life is more important than winning tournaments.
Posted by Miranda on 04/18
You know, that’s essentially what Purkey said about Els ... that he had a different perspective and that perhaps being a good guy took precedent.
Posted by The Golf Blogger on 04/18
Either way, I’ll take their bank accounts and be called an underachiever any day.
Posted by stratagem on 04/18
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