NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland — Four-time major winner Ernie Els feels his four testing rounds at the Irish Open have been the perfect preparation for next month’s U.S. Open, he told Reuters.
Els endured a trying time at the Royal County Down course in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, finishing on Sunday with a one-over-par 72 for a 10-over-par tally in bright but windy conditions.
The South African recorded one eagle and eight birdies but also 18 bogeys and a double bogey over the four in his first Irish Open appearance in 17 years.
Els will play in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio next week before travelling to Washington State for the U.