Full name Theodore Ernest Els Nickname The Big Easy Born 17 October 1969 (1969-10-17) (age 41) Johannesburg, South Africa Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 16 st) Nationality  South Africa Residence Wentworth, England; George, South Africa; Jupiter, Florida, USA Spouse Liezl (m.1998) Children Samantha (b.1999) Ben (b.2002) Career Turned professional 1989 Current tour(s) European Tour (joined 1992) PGA Tour (joined 1994) Professional wins 64 Number of wins by tour PGA Tour 18 European Tour 26 (7th all time) Japan Golf Tour 1 Sunshine Tour 16 Other 14 Best results in Major Championships (Wins: 3) Masters Tournament 2nd: 2000, 2004 U.S. Open Won: 1994, 1997 The Open Championship Won: 2002 PGA Championship 3rd/T3: 1995, 2007 Achievements and awards PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 1994 European Tour Order of Merit winner 2003, 2004 European Tour Player of the Year 1994, 2002, 2003 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner 1991/92, 1994/95 Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els (English pronunciation: /ˈɛls/; born 17 October 1969) is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature (he stands 1.91 metres (6 feet, 3 inches)) along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing. Among his numerous victories are three major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at the Oakmont Country Club and 1997 at the Congressional Country Club, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield..