6th January, 2011
Ernie Els will be playing alongside a new caddie this week at Kapulua in a bid to bring a fresh approach to his game.
The PGA Tour kicks off its 2011 schedule with the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii this week, and Zimbabwean Mike Kerr, who has previously caddied for the likes of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Nick Dougherty and Trevor Immelman, will be carrying Els’ bag for the first time.
“We made the decision at the end of last year,” Els told Reuters after playing a practice round at the Kapalua Resort on Tuesday. “Mike’s a nice quiet guy and I like to have a guy like that.
“I just wanted to make a change and have a guy who is a little different from what I have had before. He’s a low-key, relaxed kid. And he’s a good caddie.”
Els has spent the majority of his professional career with good friend Ricci Roberts alongside him on the course, though last year he was splitting the duties between Roberts and former NHL player Dan Quinn.
“I spoke to Ricci andDan,” Els said. “Dan was just a one-year thing and he did a great job for me and we’re still friends.
” Ricci and I are like brothers. He’s going to get involved with my business a little bit so he’s fine.”
