What is Ernie Els’ net worth?
| Net Worth: | $85 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 53 |
| Born: | October 17, 1969 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Country of Origin: | South Africa |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Golfer |
| Last Updated: | March 8, 2023 |
Introduction
Ernie Els is a South African professional golfer who has won four major championships over the course of his career, including the U.S. Open in 1994.
He has been ranked the number one golfer in the world, holding the record for the longest amount of time occupying the top spot.
As of March 2023, Ernie Els’ net worth is estimated to be $85 Million.
Ernie Els Facts
- Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, Ernie Els earned himself the nickname “The Big Easy” due to his height and fluid swing.
- He’s contributed a column about golf for several years to Golf Digest magazine.
- Els has topped the European Tour Order of Merit on two occasions, in 2003 and 2004.
- In addition to his golf course design business, Els has invested in a popular winery that is highly regarded by wine aficionados.
- While the PGA Tour prefers Els to play in the US, he’s happier playing around the world and competes in events on several continents.
Early Life
Theodore Ernest Els was born 17 October 1969, in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he played many sports as a child, including cricket, rugby, and tennis.
As a junior tennis player, he won the Eastern Transvaal Junior Championships at the age of 13 while also learning to play golf with his father, Neels.
He participated in amateur golf tournaments from the age of 14, winning the Junior World Golf Championships and defeating a young Phil Mickelson in 1984.
Career
Ernie Els began his career as a professional golfer in 1989 after winning the South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship and winning the 1991 Southern Africa Tour.
Between 1997 and 2002, Els won several major championship titles, including the U.S. Open and beating Tiger Woods to win the Genuity Championship title in 2002.
By the mid-2000s, Els had joined the Big Five, joining Woods, Mickelson, Vijay Singh, and Retief Goosen in the top five of the Official World Golf Rankings.
His playing style is often compared to Greg Norman, and he continued to win championships throughout the 2010s, including the WGC-CA Championship in 2010.
In 2012, his win at the Open Championship placed him in the same category as iconic players, including Gary Player, Billy Casper, and Jack Nicklaus, winning three majors across three decades.
In addition to his many tournament victories, Els earns considerable sums of money both from his sponsorship deals and his business ventures, including his golf course design business.
Ernie Els’ Career Earnings
Ernie Els has enjoyed significant career earnings over several decades, with his lucrative brand endorsement deals bringing in upwards of $10 million each year.
This salary has consistently climbed along with his world rankings, reflecting his developing skills and bankability as one of the best golfers in the world.
Here’s an estimated overview of Ernie Els’ career earnings:
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2006 – $2.3 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2007 – $2.7 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2008 – $2.5 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2009 – $2.1 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2010 – $4.6 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2011 – $17.4 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2012 – $22.3 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2013 – $19.5 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2014 – $16.7 million
- Ernie Els’ Salary In 2022 – $7 million
Ernie Els continues to draw a large income from golfing, sponsorships, and business ventures, which is unlikely to diminish soon.
Ernie Els’ Net Worth Annually
With his established reputation as a world-class golfer and other entrepreneurial activities bringing in millions of dollars annually, Ernie Els’ net worth has risen considerably over the years.
His many championship wins have helped to make him one of the richest golfers in the world, earning an estimated $50 million in prize money alone.
With more golfing tournaments in his schedule and his successful businesses, Els’ net worth will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.
Personal Life
Ernie Els married his wife, Liezi, in 1988, with whom he has a daughter named Samantha and a son called Ben.
They reside in Wentworth Estate in the south of England, with additional homes located in Jupiter, Florida, and South Africa.
Els keeps his fans in the loop about his latest championships and golf design projects through his official Instagram account, which has over 100,000 followers.
Awards & Achievements
As you might expect from one of the richest athletes in the world, Ernie Els has been nominated and awarded many accolades over the years.
He’s broken world records, won several majors, and spent a record amount of time as the number-one golfer in the world.
Here are some notable awards from Ernie Els’ career:
- 1994: Ernie Els won his first major championship, defeating Colin Montgomerie to take the title at the U.S. Open.
- 2004: Els wins another major, this time at the Open Championship in Muirfield.
- 2010: Els is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his dedication to the sport.
- 2012: Playing at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Els takes home his fourth major championship trophy.
- 2020: Shortly after turning 50 years old, Els signs up for the PGA Tour of Champions.
With these awards just a fraction of his total achievements, it’s safe to say his legacy as a champion golfer is well and truly deserved.
His ongoing involvement in the PGA Tour means we can expect more championship wins as Els’ career continues.
How Does Ernie Els Spend His Money?
With his impressive net worth and millions of dollars in income each year, Ernie Els is in a position to afford many luxury cars and properties.
His property in Jupiter compares to some of the most expensive houses in the world, boasting many bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and other modern conveniences.
Els also owns several impressive watches, with Omega releasing a limited edition Constellation watch in his honor.
Highlights
With a career beginning in the 1990s and continuing to this day, Ernie Els has experienced many notable high points and successes.
In addition to his championship victories, he’s worked with some of the world’s leading brands as a sponsor and established a reputation as a successful businessman.
Here are some of the best highlights of Ernie Els’ career:
- 1986: While he was just 17 years old, Els became the youngest-ever player to win the South African Amateur.
- 1991: Els wins his first professional tournament at the Southern Africa Tour.
- 2003: He receives his first Order of Merit on the European Tour.
- 2010: Els wins the PGA Grand Slam of Golf along with the South African Open title.
- 2020: After joining the PGA Tour Champions, he wins the Hoag Classic and SAS Championship.
With many more career highlights to his credit, Els has helped to reshape the nature of golf for a new generation.
We can expect more great things from Ernie Els as he continues to participate in some of golf’s biggest tournaments and championships.
Favorite Ernie Els Quotes
An iconic golfer with a strong reputation, Ernie Els has conducted many interviews with the media over the course of his career.
He’s happy to share his insights into his techniques and the trials and tribulations of being a world-class professional athlete.
Here are our favorite quotes from Ernie Els:
- “Ball position is everything in iron play. If you aren’t careful about it, you can create some major problems in your game just by getting an inch or two off.” – Ernie Els
- “The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you’ll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.” – Ernie Els
- “There have been so many majors that got away, starting at Riviera in ’95, taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the PGA and not winning.” – Ernie Els
- “It is just a crazy life as a sportsman. My daughter, Sam, wants to go into tennis, and I tell her, ‘No, you don’t want to go into professional sport.’” – Ernie Els
- “One of my tendencies is to let the ball drift too far forward in my stance, and it’s something I’ve been working on with David Leadbetter.” – Ernie Els
3 Amazing Lessons From Ernie Els
Now that you know all about Ernie Els’ net worth let’s see what valuable lessons and insights we can take from his career.
His dedication to his craft and commitment to inspiring course designs can be applied to all manner of creative endeavors.
Here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Ernie Els:
1. Become A Master Of All Trades
Ernie Els understood the importance of trying out multiple activities from an early age, participating in many sports as a child.
Avoid pigeonholing yourself into one category and try to master as many skills as possible.
2. Take Your Time To Recover From Setbacks
When Els injured his knee in 2005, he took several months out from competitive golfing so that he could fully recover.
Don’t rush back into physical activity following an injury until you’re fully healed.
3. Give Something Back To Those Who Need It
With his many millions of dollars, Ernie Els isn’t afraid to give plenty back to his community through his foundation and other charitable donations.
He’s supported charities for autism, as well as provided funds for disadvantaged youth from underprivileged backgrounds.
Summary
So there you have it, our comprehensive article exploring the professional victories, business ventures, and net worth of South African professional golfer Ernie Els.
His career shows no signs of slowing down, with more trophies and career highlights likely to unfold in the coming years.
To make sure this article covers all the latest details, we’ll be updating it in the future, so make sure you check back again for the facts you need to know.
As of March 2023, Ernie Els’ net worth is estimated to be $85 Million.
