Preview of 2012: Els' woes

No.2: Is this three-time Major winner fading from the scene?

Ernie's Major battle

THE last time Ernie Els missed a Major, other than the PGA in 2005 when he was injured, was the Masters in 1993.

Since then he has played in 74 Majors, won three of them and from 2000-2004 inclusive he was never outside the top six at Augusta National.

Now, though, he needs to haul himself back into the world’s top 50, he is currently at 71, by the week before the Masters or win a PGA Tour event.

His countryman, Retief Goosen, is also outside the 50 and his record is equally impressive with four top threes in six years from 2002.

Other notable players also outside the mark include Ryo Ishikawa, Matteo Manassero, Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas.

There was good news for Jim Furyk. He finished the year at No 50. Less good is the fact he started it at No 5.

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By Mark Townsend
on 09 February 2012