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The Presidents Cup 2019. Photo: Twitter

Home » South Africa’s Ernie Els Humble in Defeat to Tiger Woods’ Team at President Cup in Melbourne

South Africa’s Ernie Els Humble in Defeat to Tiger Woods’ Team at President Cup in Melbourne

South Africa’s golf star Ernie Els was humble in defeat on Sunday as the United States won their tenth Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia. Els, who captained the International Team in the Presidents Cup 2019, said to Tiger Woods’ players – “You deserved to win this. We gave it our everything, but you were the […]

By SAPeople
15-12-19 14:05
in Fab South African Stuff
tiger-woods-and-ernie-els
The Presidents Cup 2019. Photo: Twitter

South Africa’s golf star Ernie Els was humble in defeat on Sunday as the United States won their tenth Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.

tiger-woods-and-ernie-els
The Presidents Cup 2019. Photo: Twitter

Els, who captained the International Team in the Presidents Cup 2019, said to Tiger Woods’ players – “You deserved to win this. We gave it our everything, but you were the better team. Congratulations!”

It was a unique week for Woods, who for the first time in his legendary career was the captain of a U.S. national team. He excelled as captain, and was the best player on the winning team as the Americans claimed the Presidents Cup in a very close 16-14.

The PGA Tour said in a news release: “Unlike two years ago on home soil at Liberty National, winning this Cup at Royal Melbourne wasn’t easy. The Americans entered Sunday Singles trailing by two points.

“Counterpart Ernie Els seemed to pull all the right levers. The Internationals were in their best position to end their 21-year drought in this event. The hometown support was going to make a difference.

“But there’s a reason why Tiger Woods has the most wins (with Sam Snead) in PGA TOUR history. He refuses to lose.”

And on Sunday, that spirit permeated the American roster.

“The signs were there. Woods was not to be denied. Nor was his team. For the first time, Americans were playing for Tiger Woods. They refused to let him down,” said the PGA Tour.

“It was pretty awesome to play for the greatest player ever,” said Matt Kuchar, who supplied the clinching point in the 11th match of the day, rallying from 3 down to tie with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen. “To have a chance to make a team captained by the greatest player ever that is also a player on the team, I can’t tell you how unique, how cool of a thing that is – to not only play for him, but alongside him.”

Ernie said: “It’s been an incredible week with these guys.” See more of what he said below.

WATCH Ernie Els speaking after the President’s Cup:

Ernie before the final day:

Tiger afterwards:

The South African flag was flying (although upside down!)