‘Takes A Lot Away’: Vexed By A ‘Selfish’ Decision Of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els Brutally Took Down The Legend in 2010

Athletes often see rough patches in their careers. It may be dry spells during games or injuries that keep them away from the sport. In golf, Tiger Woods has seen more than a few bad spells throughout his career. From injuries and winless draughts to messy scandals, the golf legend has dealt with it all. However, by far the most difficult period was in 2010. Not only did Woods go through a rough divorce, but the whole world stood against him. One of his all-time rivals, Ernie Els, even called his repentant behavior selfish once.

Els turned pro in 1989 and has 19 PGA Tour victories, including four majors. The South African golfer also won 28 times on the European Tour and 18 times on the Sunshine Tour. In his prime, there were certainly very few who could stand against him.

Ernie Els disses Tiger Woods for his announcement

Back in 2009, when the 15-time major winner’s marriage scandal came to light, things were terrible for Woods. Although now things are better between him and his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, back then it was ugly. He announced an indefinite break from golf in December of that year. Since then, the golf legend had avoided the press and the public. It was three months later when he finally decided to break his silence.

Woods’ announcement was to be made on the 19th of February, which coincided with the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. The Match Play was the year’s biggest event up to that point and was taking place in Arizona. Although Woods was making his statement in his home state of Florida, he was bound to have the attention of the entire golf world.

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As per The Guardian, Els spoke to a reporter from Golf Week and said, “It’s selfish.” Els argued that Woods’ decision to break his silence on a Friday was unnecessary. He stated that the golf pro was not doing justice to the tournament at hand by doing so.

Els claims the golf tournament stood to lose a lot from Woods’ actions

The South African great explained that there were certain days in the golf world for making announcements. “Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday,” he claimed. “This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.”

Many suggested that Woods’ actions were deliberate. and that it was a dig at Accenture, which was one of his first sponsors to drop him after his scandal became public. The four-time major winner went on to say he felt bad for Accenture. “You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor,” stated Els.

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Do you think the golf legend’s actions were deliberate? And was Els right to lash out at Woods? Let us know in the comments below.