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`Big Easy' makes date to play and win in Taiwan

Ernie Els drives at a previous BMW event last year. PHOTO: COURTESY BMW ASIAN OPEN

British Open champion Ernie Els will come to Taiwan and play in the BMW Asian Open, organizers confirmed yesterday.

Asia's richest tournament, the US$1.5 million Asian Open at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club in Taoyuan, will tee off on Nov. 21 and play to Nov. 24.

The world's No. 3-ranked golfer -- behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson -- most recently won the Open at Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland in a sudden-death playoff against Frenchman Thomas Levet.

Els will join a galaxy of other stars who will compete at the Asian Open, including defending champion Jarmo Sandelin, big-hitting John Daly and Thailand's Thongchai Jadee.

South Korean golf prodigy Charlie Wi and current Asian PGA Order of Merit leader Arjun Atwal will also be on hand to challenge for the top prize.

Els said he was looking forward to returning to Taiwan after competing three years ago in the Johnnie Walker Classic at Ta Shee.

"I am feeling really confident about visiting Asia at the end of the season for the BMW Asian Open following my victory ... at the Open," Els said.

"That win has really given me the appetite for more success, especially in putting the record straight after my third-place finish in the 1999 Johnnie Walker Classic at the Ta Shee."

The South African said he was looking forward to the challenge of a first-class course and a top field of players.

"BMW is thrilled that the current British Open champion Ernie Els will compete in the BMW Asian Open," said tournament director of the BMW Asian Open and the BMW International Open in Germany, Ingo Wirth.

"His appearance at the tournament will add value to this prestigious event and we take pride that a player of his caliber is attracted to our tournament.

"Els' presence will be a great spectacle for golf fans in this region, and it will be a rare glimpse to see such a talented player in action.

"What a way to finish the season for Els if he were to triumph at the BMW Asian Open," Wirth said.

Last year's inaugural tournament ended spectacularly, with Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin holding off Thongchai Jaidee and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal for a one-shot victory.

Els had a disappointing Tour last year and did not win on the PGA for the first time since he turned professional in 1994.

He made a magnificent start to this season, however, winning twice on the European Tour in the Heineken Classic and the Dubai Desert Classic, as well as the Genuity Championship in the US, before clinching the British Open.
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