When Ernie Els won South Africa’s last major in 2012 and thanked Nelson Mandela
The Open Championship has always been the favourite major for IOL Sports writer Michael Sherman. Seen here: Ernie Els in his winner's press conference at the 2012 Open championship at Royal Lytham & St Anne's. Picture credit: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
The last time a South African won a men’s major, Nelson Mandela had just celebrated his penultimate birthday, and Ernie Els made sure to thank the elder statesman for his positive influence on the country.
Els won the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s, and though his victory came four days after Madiba celebrated his 94th birthday, the Big Easy made sure to thank the father of the nation.
In fact, it was a rich sporting week for South Africa as Hashim Amla had scored the highest score in Test cricket by a Proteas player when he made 311 against England at The Oval in London on the same day.
In his victory speech, Els paid tribute to Mandela.
Ernie Els Expresses Gratitude to Mandela After Winning The Open
“I’ve got to thank, obviously, first of all, President Mandela, who’s been such a great influence in our country. We have been truly blessed to have a man like President Mandela take us through a very difficult time in our country… and it’s only because of President Mandela.”
“I was just daydreaming and the thought came through me in a split second—‘If I win, I’d better thank President Mandela because I grew up in the apartheid era … and President Mandela was right there.’”
When Els lifted The Open trophy - The Claret Jug - he said: “I would love to [share a drink]… When you’ve met him personally it’s an unbelievable feeling and he’s a great man.”
It’s now been 13 years since a South African won a men’s major, and maybe the key in breaking the drought lies in conjuring a bit of Madiba Magic.