Els hopeful of a resurgence
Ernie Els was walking to the practice range on Wednesday at Torrey Pines when he was stopped by a security guard who has not spent much time around golf tournaments.
"Are you a professional?" the guard asked him.
This is new territory for Els, a three-time major champion and former No 1 in the world.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Big Easy starts a new season without assurances that he will be at the Masters. He might not be eligible for two World Golf Championships over the next six weeks.
And for the first time since he cares to remember, Els finds himself looking at the world ranking. He is at No 57.