http://www.sabcnews.com/sport/other/0,2172,166830,00.html
Flu bug forces Els to withdraw
April 01, 2008, 09:00
The flu bug which hampered star South African golfer Ernie Els' efforts two weeks ago in Miami, has returned and forced him yesterday to withdraw from this week's Shell Houston Open.
Writing on his website, Els says he was about to leave for Houston from the Bahamas when the flu bug struck again. "I am really disappointed to have been forced to withdraw because I was really looking forward to playing this week, but I have been advised that it would not be in my best interests to play.
"I am obviously very sorry to have to disappoint the organisers in Houston, but I hope to play in their prestigious event in the future.
"So, I will just be resting-up between now and the weekend. I should then be fully fit by the time I head over to Augusta to resume my preparations for the Masters."
Valuable exercise
Els last week took time off to pay a visit to Augusta and get in an advance day?s practice. He says nothing much has changed for this year?s championship - just a few cosmetic nips and tucks here and there - but it is still a valuable exercise.
"I get to work on my shots and can begin to get myself tuned-in mentally for the first Major of the year. It has got to the point now where it has become an important part of my preparations.
"Augusta is such a special and unique test of golf that, to be honest, you cannot play it too often. And obviously, visiting a few weeks before the tournament starts means the course is always pretty quiet and I can get some serious quality time to myself out there.
"I work on my ball-flight and spin going into the greens and I spend time on my short game, playing those delicate shots that are such a big part of the challenge of Augusta. - Sapa
Flu bug forces Els to withdraw
April 01, 2008, 09:00
The flu bug which hampered star South African golfer Ernie Els' efforts two weeks ago in Miami, has returned and forced him yesterday to withdraw from this week's Shell Houston Open.
Writing on his website, Els says he was about to leave for Houston from the Bahamas when the flu bug struck again. "I am really disappointed to have been forced to withdraw because I was really looking forward to playing this week, but I have been advised that it would not be in my best interests to play.
"I am obviously very sorry to have to disappoint the organisers in Houston, but I hope to play in their prestigious event in the future.
"So, I will just be resting-up between now and the weekend. I should then be fully fit by the time I head over to Augusta to resume my preparations for the Masters."
Valuable exercise
Els last week took time off to pay a visit to Augusta and get in an advance day?s practice. He says nothing much has changed for this year?s championship - just a few cosmetic nips and tucks here and there - but it is still a valuable exercise.
"I get to work on my shots and can begin to get myself tuned-in mentally for the first Major of the year. It has got to the point now where it has become an important part of my preparations.
"Augusta is such a special and unique test of golf that, to be honest, you cannot play it too often. And obviously, visiting a few weeks before the tournament starts means the course is always pretty quiet and I can get some serious quality time to myself out there.
"I work on my ball-flight and spin going into the greens and I spend time on my short game, playing those delicate shots that are such a big part of the challenge of Augusta. - Sapa