Els Should Be A Favorite At Nedbank Golf Challenge

Ernie Els has got to be the favorite this week in South Africa to win his 4th Nedbank Challenge Golf tournament. Even if he's playing some new irons because in his words he wasn't getting close to pins I guess it helps to have a company like Callaway to make you some clubs.

"So when I got back to London from the Far East I asked Callaway to make me up a set of 'muscle-back' irons."

He added: "My previous set were cavity-backed and I felt I needed something that would perhaps give me more control over the ball.

"I spent some time at the factory getting fitted and fortunately I did get a chance to hit quite a lot of balls at Wentworth (where he lives for most of the year).

"In this game a matter of centimetres can turn you into a different player."

Didn't Phil switch a few weeks back and win maybe Ernie can do the same this week with his new irons. He'll have to put four good rounds together but he has to be at favorite in his country and with his record at this event. His new irons worked pretty good in the first round as Ernie had a 69 to be only two shots off the lead held by Adam Scott and Trevor Immelman. Here's how everyone did at the Gary Player Country Club:

67: Trevor Immelman (South Africa), Adam Scott (Australia)

68: Luke Donald (England), Justin Rose (England)

69: Ernie Els (South Africa), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)

72: Stewart Cink (United States), Henrik Stenson (Sweden)

74: Niclas Fasth (Sweden), Retief Goosen (South Africa), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)

76: Rory Sabbatini (South Africa)

Tags: Ernie Els, Nedbank Golf Challenge