Hello, hockey fans! If you love following the NHL and admire world-class, Ernie Els is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Ernie Els, known as The Big Easy, remains one of golf’s most legendary figures with a career spanning decades and recent wins keeping him relevant in 2026. This update covers his personal details, career journey, finances, and more, drawing from the latest available info as he thrives on the PGA Tour Champions.
Ernie Els’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Theodore Ernest Els |
| Nickname | “The Big Easy” |
| Date of Birth | October 17, 1969 |
| Age | 56 years old |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 6’3″ (190 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lbs |
| Turned Professional | 1989 |
| College/University | Received multiple golf scholarships but chose professional career |
| Net Worth | $85 million |
| Annual Salary | $3.5 million+ |
| Spouse | Liezl Els |
| Marriage Date | 1998 (married 28 years) |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 2 (Ben Neels Els, Samantha Leigh Els) |
| Instagram Profile | @ernieelsgolf |
Early Career
Ernie Els burst onto the scene as a junior phenom in South Africa. At 13, he won the Eastern Transvaal Junior Championships in tennis, but golf soon took over—he claimed the World Junior Golf Championship (Boys 13-14) in 1984 in San Diego, beating future star Phil Mickelson. By 17, he became the youngest South African Amateur winner, smashing Bobby Locke’s long-standing record.
Els turned pro in 1989 at 20, grabbing his first win on the Southern Africa Tour (now Sunshine Tour) in 1990 with the Spoornet SA Classic and Highveld Classic. He dominated locally, topping the Order of Merit in 1991/92 and 1994/95, while earning Springbok colors. His international breakthrough came in 1993 at Japan’s Dunlop Phoenix Tournament. (78 words)
Professional Career
Els hit the big time in 1994, nailing his first major at the U.S. Open in a playoff thriller against Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts—his fluid swing earned the “Big Easy” nickname. He defended his Toyota World Match Play title that year, kicking off a record seven wins there. Back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1997 cemented his elite status, and his first Open Championship came in 2002 at Muirfield after a wild four-man playoff.
The mid-2000s peaked with European Tour Orders of Merit in 2003-04, including a PGA Tour-record 31-under at the Mercedes Championships and six total wins in ’04 like the Memorial and WGC-American Express. He battled Tiger Woods head-on, beating him outright at the 2002 Genuity and often pushing him in majors. Els notched 19 PGA Tour wins, 28 European Tour victories, and 80 pro triumphs overall.
Post-2010, putting yips and injuries slowed him, but he roared back for his second Open in 2012 at age 42, birdieing the last to edge Adam Scott. Now 56, Els dominates PGA Tour Champions with seven wins since 2020, including three in 2024 (Principal Charity Classic at 21-under, American Family Insurance, and senior major Kaulig Companies) and the 2025 season-opener Mitsubishi Electric Championship at 18-under. In 2026, he stays competitive, holding records like 788 weeks in the OWGR top 10 and most Open rounds in the 60s (42). His global schedule—wins across six tours—sets him apart, blending power, touch, and consistency over 35+ years. (148 words)
Wife
Ernie’s rock-solid marriage to Liezl since 1998 keeps him grounded. They have two kids: daughter Samantha Leigh, who debuted for South Africa’s women’s rugby team in 2023, and son Ben, diagnosed with autism at age five.
The family founded Els for Autism in 2009, building the Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida—a 26-acre hub for therapy, education, and research that serves families worldwide. They split time between Wentworth Estate in England, South Africa, and Florida for Ben’s care. Ernie often credits Liezl for handling the challenges, turning personal trials into global impact.
Ernie Els’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ernie Els’ net worth sits at an estimated $85 million, built from $49.3 million in career prize money alone—peaking at $5.78M in 2003-04. Endorsements, his Els Club golf courses (like Dubai, Malaysia sites), Ernie Els Wines in Stellenbosch, Big Easy restaurants, and pet products/Biltong lines boost it further. Recent PGA Champions wins, like $525K from 2024’s Kaulig, add steady cash flow.
Prize Money
| Tournament | Year | Prize Money | Details |
| U.S. Open | 1994 | $320,000 | First major victory at Oakmont |
| U.S. Open | 1997 | $425,000 | Second U.S. Open victory |
| GTE Byron Nelson Classic | 1995 | $288,000 | -17 (69-61-65-68=263) |
| The Open Championship | 2002 | $500,000 | Victory at Muirfield |
| Mercedes Championships | 2003 | $900,000 | Record 31-under par (64-65-65-67=261) |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | 2003 | $810,000 | Playoff victory |
| Memorial Tournament | 2004 | $720,000 | Victory over Fred Couples |
| WGC-American Express Championship | 2004 | $850,000 | -18 (69-64-68-69=270) |
| The Open Championship | 2012 | $1,066,000 | Fourth major at Royal Lytham |
| WGC-CA Championship | 2010 | $1,400,000 | Victory over Charl Schwartzel |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | 2010 | $900,000 | Second career victory |
| European Tour Order of Merit | 2003-04 | €2,975,374 | Harry Vardon Trophy winner |
| Nissan Open | 1999 | $540,000 | Victory at Riviera |
| Honda Classic | 2008 | $750,000 | -6 (67-70-70-67=274) |
| Buick Classic | 1996 | $360,000 | 8-stroke victory |
| World Match Play Championship | Multiple | $2,680,000 | Peak prize for 7 titles (latest 2007) |
| Career Total Prize Money | All time | $49,385,600 | Across all tours combined |
Endorsements
Ernie Els’ endorsement portfolio reflects his status as one of golf’s most marketable athletes:
- Boeing – First professional athlete ever to sign an endorsement deal with the aircraft manufacturer; Els wears Boeing branding on his competition apparel
- Callaway Golf – Major equipment endorsement covering drivers, irons, wedges, and golf balls; switched from Titleist in 2019 after five years
- RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) – Financial services sponsorship agreement
- SAP Software – Three-year sponsorship deal dating back to 2003; Els serves as brand ambassador at corporate events
- JONDO Sunglasses – Brand ambassador and investor as of 2025; partnership highlights performance eyewear technology for golfers
- Rolex – High-end watch sponsorship consistent with his luxury lifestyle and global prominence
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Accomplishment | Year Achieved |
| Major Championships | 4 titles (1994, 1997 U.S. Opens; 2002, 2012 Open Championships) | 1994-2012 |
| World Match Play Titles | Record 7 victories (1994-1996, 2002-2004, 2007) | 1994-2007 |
| Consecutive Top-10 Weeks | 758 consecutive weeks in top 10 of world ranking | June 1994 – Jan 2009 |
| Career Top-10 Finishes | 300 top-10 finishes (first golfer to reach this milestone) | 2019 |
| Professional Career Wins | 80 worldwide victories (19 PGA Tour, 28 European Tour, 16 Sunshine Tour) | Throughout career |
| Lowest 72-Hole PGA Tour Score | 31-under par at 2003 Mercedes Championships (64-65-65-67=261) | 2003 |
| Lowest European Tour Score | 29-under par at 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic | 2003 |
| Career-Low Round | 60 (12-under par) at 2004 Heineken Classic, Royal Melbourne | 2004 |
| Open Championship Rounds in 60s | Record 42 sub-70 rounds (42 rounds); five more than Sir Nick Faldo | All-time record |
| All Four Rounds in 60s at Open | First man in history to achieve this feat (Royal St George’s 1993; repeated at Troon 2004) | 1993, 2004 |
| Consecutive Cuts Made | European Tour record of 82 consecutive cuts | 2000-2007 |
| PGA Tour Rookie of the Year | Outstanding debut season performance | 1994 |
| European Tour Player of the Year | Named 3 times (1994, 2002, 2003) | 1994, 2002, 2003 |
| European Tour Order of Merit | Won twice with Harry Vardon Trophy | 2003, 2004 |
| World Golf Hall of Fame | Inducted by PGA Tour ballot | 2011 |
| Presidents Cup Appearances | 8 appearances for International Team (20-18-2 overall record) | 1996-2013 |
| PGA Tour Champions Wins | 7 victories in senior golf | 2020-2026 |
FAQs
1. How many major championships has Ernie Els won?
Ernie Els has won four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and The Open Championship in 2002 and 2012. His final major victory came at age 42 at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012.
2. Why is Ernie Els called “The Big Easy”?
Els earned the nickname “The Big Easy” due to two factors: his imposing physical stature at 6’3″ and 210 pounds, and his exceptionally fluid, rhythmic golf swing that appears effortless to execute. The name perfectly encapsulates how he makes difficult golf shots look deceptively simple.
3. What is Ernie Els’ relationship with autism advocacy?
Ernie and Liezl Els’ son Ben was diagnosed with autism, which inspired them to establish the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009. The foundation operates The Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida, providing comprehensive services to individuals with autism. This cause has become central to the Els family’s philanthropic mission.
4. How long was Ernie Els ranked in the world’s top 10?
Ernie Els holds the record for the most consecutive weeks inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking with 758 consecutive weeks from June 19, 1994, to January 11, 2009—nearly 15 consecutive years.
5. What is Ernie Els’ net worth in 2026?
Ernie Els’ estimated net worth is $85 million as of 2026. This wealth comes from tournament prize money (approximately $49.4 million), endorsement deals (approximately $16 million annually), and various business ventures including golf course design, wine production, and hospitality operations.
6. Has Ernie Els been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame?
Yes, Ernie Els was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of the Class of 2011, joining other golf legends. He was elected through the PGA Tour ballot, recognizing his exceptional career achievements and global impact on professional golf.
7. How many professional golf tournaments has Ernie Els won?
Ernie Els has won 80 professional tournaments worldwide throughout his career, including 19 PGA Tour victories, 28 European Tour wins, 16 Sunshine Tour titles, and victories on other international tours. These victories span his entire professional career from 1989 to the present.
8. What is Ernie Els’ record in the World Match Play Championship?
Ernie Els holds the all-time record with seven World Match Play Championship victories (1994-1996, 2002-2004, 2007). This unmatched record demonstrates his exceptional skill in one-on-one match play competition, where he never trailed in crucial moments.
9. What endorsement deals does Ernie Els have in 2026?
In 2026, Ernie Els maintains endorsement partnerships with Boeing, Callaway Golf, RBC, SAP, and JONDO Sunglasses. He notably became an investor in JONDO in 2025, deepening his commitment to the performance eyewear brand beyond traditional brand ambassador roles.
10. What was Ernie Els’ best career season in terms of earnings?
Ernie Els’ best professional year was 2003-2004 when he earned $5,787,225, including victories at the Mercedes Championship (31-under par PGA Tour record) and Sony Open. This exceptional season established him as one of golf’s most dominant players alongside Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson.