Ernie made his major championship debut in the Open as an amateur at Royal Troon in 1989. This year at Hoylake is his 32nd appearance, with 13 top-10 finishes and two victories in 2002 and 2012.
In total, Ernie has now played in 107 majors, which places him 13th in the list of all-time major starts (see table below). He has finished in the top-10 in all majors an impressive 35 times.
In addition, Ernie holds some notable records…
Ernie has shot more rounds in the 60s in the Open than any other golfer in history, a total of 42. Sir Nick Faldo is second on the list with 37.
Ernie was the first man in history to shoot all four rounds in the 60s in an Open, a feat he achieved at Royal St George’s in 1993. He did it again at Troon in 2004.
Ernie’s gap of ten years between wins is the second longest gap between victories in Open history. Sir Henry Cotton holds the record with 11 years (1937 to 1948).
Masters
Appearances: 23
Top-10s: 6
1994 (T8th), 2000 (2nd), 2001 (T6th), 2002 (T5th), 2003 (T6th), 2004 (2nd)
PGA Championship
Appearances: 25
Top-10s: 6
1995 (T3rd), 2003 (T5th), 2004 (T4th), 2007 (3rd), 2009 (T6th), 2014 (T7th)
US Open
Appearances: 27
Top-10s: 10
1993 (T7th), 1994 (Won), 1996 (T5th), 1997 (Won), 2000 (T2nd), 2004 (T9th), 2005 (T5th), 2010 (3rd), 2012 (9th), 2013 (T4th)
Open Championship
Appearances: 32
Top-10s: 13
1992 (T5th), 1993 (T6th), 1996 (T2nd), 1997 (T10th), 2000 (T2nd), 2002 (Won), 2003 (T3rd), 2004 (2nd), 2006 (3rd), 2007 (T4th), 2008 (T7th), 2009 (T8th), 2012 (Won)
Majors Appearances: All-Time List
1. Jack Nicklaus – 164 majors
2. Gary Player – 150 majors
3. Tom Watson – 145 majors
4. Arnold Palmer – 142 majors
5. Raymond Floyd – 126 majors
6. Sam Snead – 118 majors
7. Ben Crenshaw – 117 majors
8. Phil Mickelson – 116 majors
9. Gene Sarazen – 113 majors
10. Mark O’Meara – 110 majors
11. Bernhard Langer – 109 majors
12. Tom Kite – 109 majors
13. Ernie Els – 107 majors
