Ernie Els Ball Quotations

Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green.

Ball position is everything in iron play. If you aren't careful about it, you can create some major problems in your game just by getting an inch or two off.

Some players like to change clubs around the green to hit high or low shots. I play all of my short-game shots with my 54-degree sand wedge and change my ball position to hit it higher or lower. I think it's easier to learn one club than four.

Right before I start the putter back, I think about making solid contact. This brings your attention to the back of the ball and helps keep your head still at impact, which is a must. Many amateurs take a peek down the line too soon, and that can cause all sorts of mis-hits.

I worked really hard on my long game the last two week, especially last week. I'm working on a bit of a flatter plane through the ball. I got a little bit steep on the ball so I'm trying to flatten it out a little bit through the hitting area.

From a good lie in the middle of a fairway bunker, I'll make the same swing as I do from an average fairway lie. I'll dig my feet in slightly and keep my lower body stable so I won't slip, but I don't change my club selection or setup. It's only when the ball is sitting down in the sand that I'll make some modifications.

I was very good off the tee. I haven't had many better days driving the ball here. Conditions were also just about perfect, too. It's probably the easiest day we'll have here.

I've been swinging good and hitting the ball really well this week and I'm delighted to be back in contention.

I've tried to play the way you play in Opens, which is to get the ball in play, not be too overly aggressive, and play away from the flags. But there's a fine line. You need to be careful, but you can't play defensive.

It was unbelievable, ... That's probably the loudest I've ever heard it. It was quite loud in '98 when I played with Jack, especially when he made a few birdies on the front nine. It was exciting. If you were watching on television, it must have been good. Kirk made that 1 in front of us on 16 -- I never saw the shot but I heard that roar, and then K.J. on 11, that ball never left the flag. It was great golf.

You should never get set over the ball and then aim your putter face. If you do it in that order, you can easily lose sight of your intended line. Instead, aim the face down your line first, then settle your body into position.

It's a real confidence builder after such a long layoff. I was swinging the club well and hitting the ball great, and I was delighted to be back in contention.

That little bit of rough, it's rough now. You've got to be careful how the ball comes out there.

I didn't putt well at all today. I had many chances but didn't take them. However, I feel I am hitting the ball nicely. My stroke feels goods, but I was a little off bit off. I must get into middle 60s to have a chance of winning.

I cannot complain about the way I came back. I could be sitting here without any confidence now, hitting the ball all over the place. But the knee has been pretty good, and it's given me time to practice and get my game back in shape. So I'm happy where I am right now.

The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you'll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.