Page "Ernie Els" Paragraph 13

2003 gave Els his first European Tour Order of Merit.

Although playing fewer events than his competitors Els won four times and had three runner ups.

He also performed well in the United States with back to back victories at the Mercedes Championship and Sony Open and achieved top 20 spots in all four majors including a fifth place finish at the U. S Open and sixth place finishes at both the Masters and PGA Championship.

To top off the season Els won the World Match Play title for a record tying fifth time.

In 2003 he was voted 37th on the SABC3's Great South Africans.