IN THE universe away from that occupied by Tiger Woods, the earth spins at a slower pace. If Ernie Els has taken longer than anticipated to reach the stage where he can again be viewed as a creditable challenger to Woods, the deduction to be made after his victory in the Honda Classic on Sunday is that the South African is finally getting closer to his desired destination.
This overdue win on the US Tour immediately elevated Els to number three in the world rankings.
Funnily enough, it was a little over 14 months ago, in December of 2006, that Els famously went on record with a three-year plan to challenge Woods as the world number one. And, while the 38-year-old did win twice on the 2007 European Tour schedule, and finished runner-up to Justin Rose on last year's order of merit, the period was more notable for the absence of a win in the US combined with spectacular blow-ups over the finishing stretch.
Els's win in the Honda at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, where he finished one shot clear of England's Luke Donald, was his first on the US Tour since he captured the American Express World championship at Mount Juliet in 2004: that's three years, four months and 29 days.
Els's attributes his resurgence in part to working with sports psychologist Bob Rotella, who was introduced to the Big Easy by his caddie, Dubliner JP Fitzgerald. That was two years ago.
"I've been working with Bob on and off a little bit the last two years, not really intensively. But he's gotten to know me a little bit better now and he basically just wants me to be Ernie Els again, to be kind of like the "Big Easy" again. I've been a little bit uptight and a little grumpy, basically because I've been trying to get better and win those tournaments."
Now Els believes he is ready to match his words in facing up to Woods by his deeds on the course.
On this occasion, the win was achieved without Woods being in the field. But Els later observed: "When he's in a tournament, this is definitely the way I need to play. I still need to improve on making big putts down the stretch. There will be a tournament obviously when Tiger's in contention and hopefully I've got a chance to try and beat him. I am 38 right now and I can, quite easily, go and enjoy my kids and go build golf courses and stuff. But I really still want to achieve a lot in the game and I still want to win a lot."
He added: "You know, we play out here to win. It's not like this is my first tournament ever. I've won quite a few times around the world. I guess we get addicted to that feeling, and when you don't get your rush, so to speak, you miss it. I definitely missed winning."
Els had experienced more than his fair share of heartbreaks over the past year, despite his win in the World Matchplay at Wentworth last October. Only last month, in the Dubai Desert Classic, he began the final round as leader and four clear of Woods, only to miss short par putts to lose the lead down the stretch and then put his approach to the 18th into the water.
Woods won; Els finished third.
Last December, Els carried a two-shot lead going to the 72nd tee in the Alfred Dunhill championship in South Africa, only to find water twice and lose by a stroke to John Bickerton.
"It feels even sweeter, losing so many tournaments and now one going my way," said Els, who will seek to continue his form at this week's Pods Championship, where Mark Calcavecchia is the defending champion.
Certainly, Donald is convinced Els can become a more frequent winner. "I think he has that natural ability in his swing . . . it's surprising that he hasn't won for so many years on tour (in the US). Maybe this win will open up the floodgates a little bit."
While Els seeks to continue his return to form at the Pods this week, the European Tour continues its Far East odyssey with the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpar, where there seven Irish players in the field.
Rory McIlroy, who didn't play in February, during which time he has slipped outside the world's top 200, returns to action alongside Damien McGrane, Graeme McDowell, Gary Murphy, Peter Lawrie, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke.
In terms of those seeking to earn a place in the field for next month's WGC CA tournament in Doral, this is an important week as the top 10 on the European Tour money list will claim places in the field. McGrane, currently 14th, is the best placed of the Irish.
Meanwhile, the English Open will return to the European Tour schedule next year and will be at St Mellion in Cornwall for at least five years.
The event was last played at the Forest of Arden in 2002, when Darren Clarke won for the third time in four years.
St Mellion last played host to a Tour event in 1995 when Australian Peter O'Malley captured the International Open on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
HONDA CLASSIC (at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) - Leading final scores (US unless stated, par 70): 274 - Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 70 70 67; 275 - Luke Donald (Eng) 64 74 66 71; 276 - Nathan Green (Aus) 71 70 68 67; 277 - Mark Calcavecchia 70 67 67 73, Robert Allenby (Aus) 69 68 70 70, Matthew Jones (Aus) 66 67 71 73; 278 - Brian Davis (Eng) 65 67 73 73, Michael Letzig 70 69 68 71, Mathew Goggin (Aus) 71 70 68 69, John Mallinger 68 67 73 70, Alex Cejka (Ger) 69 71 68 70. 279 - Ben Crane 69 66 71 73, Brett Quigley 67 70 70 72, Jose Coceres (Arg) 68 69 68 74. 280 - Dudley Hart 68 66 72 74, John Merrick 72 69 68 71, Justin Rose (Eng) 72 70 71 67, Cliff Kresge 70 71 66 73, Shane Bertsch 70 69 71 70.
