Ernie Els Finally Confesses the Crushing Struggles Behind “The Big Easy”—“Not Just a Smooth Swing, But a Battle for Survival”

Ernie Els’s nickname, “The Big Easy,” perfectly captures the smooth, seemingly effortless style that captivated golf fans worldwide.

Standing tall at 6’3” and weighing 210 pounds, Els’s fluid swing looked so natural that it appeared he was barely trying.

Yet, beneath that graceful exterior, Els endured physical and professional challenges that tested his resilience and redefined his legacy.

Els’s career achievements are extraordinary.

Four major championships—two U.S. Opens in 1994 and 1997, and two Open Championships in 2002 and 2012—place him among golf’s elite.

Remarkably, those Open wins came a full decade apart, underscoring his longevity at the top.

Beyond majors, Els has claimed 79 tournament victories worldwide, a testament to his global dominance across continents.

In 1997, Els reached the pinnacle of the world rankings, holding the number one spot for nine weeks.

His effortless swing and calm demeanor made him a fan favorite, with spectators traveling great distances just to witness his elegant play.

But behind the scenes, Els was battling serious physical pain that he kept hidden for years.

Around 2014, as he approached his 45th birthday, Els revealed a devastating truth: his right hip was causing him unbearable, debilitating pain.

This wasn’t the usual aches golfers endure after a round; it was a nerve problem deep within his hip that disrupted his sleep and daily life.

On a flight to Hong Kong, the pain was so intense he couldn’t sleep more than two hours at a stretch for two weeks.

The severity of his condition shocked many.

Els described moments when the pain felt like his leg might “blow off,” even contemplating amputation—a chilling admission that illustrated just how desperate his situation had become.

For a man whose career depended on precision and control, this was a brutal blow.

Despite the agony, Els’s determination shone through.

He pursued every possible treatment, from traditional medicine to Chinese acupuncture and experimental therapies.

Yet the hip problem altered his legendary swing, sapping distance and accuracy, and causing his world ranking to plummet from 27th to 51st within a year.

For a perfectionist like Els, who had honed every detail of his game over decades, this decline was devastating.

Els’s hip woes weren’t his only physical setbacks.

In 2005, while on vacation water skiing in the Mediterranean, he suffered a complete ACL rupture in his knee, requiring immediate surgery and nearly a year away from competitive golf.

The reconstruction used his own hamstring tendons and demanded months of rehabilitation before he could return to the tour.

Adding insult to injury, in 2015 Els ruptured ankle ligaments playing football with friends, forcing him to miss the chance to defend his Open Championship title at St Andrews—one of golf’s most prestigious venues.

Missing a major defense due to a casual game was a bitter pill for any competitor.

What makes Els’s story even more poignant is his deep knowledge of fitness and injury prevention.

In 2000, long before his major health issues, he co-authored Ernie Els’s Guide to Golf Fitness with trainer David Herman.

The book emphasized training without strain and focused on golf-specific conditioning.

Yet, despite his preparation and expertise, the relentless toll of professional golf’s repetitive motions and physical demands caught up with him.

Els’s challenges extended beyond the physical.

In 2004, he publicly clashed with the PGA Tour over its demands that he play more American events.

Els, a truly global player competing across South Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, resisted the tour’s attempts to control his schedule.

Tour director Tim Fincham sent a firm letter demanding Els play over 20 U.S. events, but Els pushed back with characteristic resolve: “Don’t start putting a padlock around me because that’s not going to work.”

Els argued that golf was becoming an international sport and that his global schedule actually helped grow the game worldwide.

He pointed out the unequal treatment of players depending on their home tours and fought for the right to play where he wanted.

Today, with the rise of tour wars and player movement, Els’s stance seems prescient—he was ahead of his time in recognizing the evolving landscape of professional golf.

Despite the pain, politics, and pressure, Els never let these challenges define him.

He adapted his swing to manage his hip pain, adjusted expectations, and demonstrated extraordinary mental toughness.

His resilience was evident as he transitioned smoothly to the PGA Tour Champions at age 55, continuing to win tournaments and prove that experience and strategy can overcome physical limitations.

Beyond competition, Els’s legacy shines through his philanthropic work.

His Els for Autism Foundation, inspired by his own son’s autism diagnosis, has raised over $40 million since 2011.

The foundation’s 26-acre campus in Jupiter, Florida, offers world-class support and resources for families affected by autism.

His commitment to giving back reflects a compassionate side that complements his competitive fire.

Els also built a successful business empire, including a global golf course design company with offices in Florida, South Africa, Malaysia, and Dubai, as well as a wine business embodying his motto of “passion for elegance.”

These ventures showcase his ability to create lasting success beyond the fairways.

One telling moment that captures Els’s character came after his 2012 Open Championship victory.

When Adam Scott collapsed in the final holes, effectively handing Els the win, he didn’t celebrate wildly.

Instead, he approached Scott in the scoring area and said, “I’m sorry how things turned out. Don’t let this thing linger.”

That moment of grace and sportsmanship revealed the true spirit behind “The Big Easy.”

In 2025, Els continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, starting the season with a commanding victory and multiple top-five finishes.

His scoring average of 68.04 attests that he still plays elite golf.

Ernie Els’s candid admission about his struggles—hip pain, injuries, tour disputes, and personal challenges—adds profound depth to the story of a champion.

His journey is not just about victories but about overcoming adversity with strength and grace.

The “Big Easy” nickname may capture his smooth swing, but it also symbolizes his smooth handling of life’s toughest battles and his enduring impact on the game and beyond.