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Ernie Els back with old psychologist

Ernie Els is back with his old sports psychologist, according to a South African newspaper.

"He called me and told me we should work together again," Jos Vanstiphout told the Johannesburg Sunday Times over the weekend. "He said he wants the short cut to get back to where he was, so we've drawn up a two-year plan and have started working on it. The goal is for Ernie to become as good as he can be, for he is really the only player in the world with the ability to chase Tiger (Woods)."

It's easy to forget that only two years ago, Els was arguably the best player in the world, contending in all four majors and finishing runner-up at the Masters and British Open.

But last year he didn't post a top 10 in the first three majors and he missed the PGA Championship after suffering a serious knee injury that required major surgery. He returned to competition late last year and though he has shown flashes of his old brilliance, he hasn't been able to string together a run of great form.

He twice has lost playoffs this year - to Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic and Adam Scott at the Singapore Open, but hasn't won. Els returns to the U.S. for this week's Chrysler Championship. He is 30th on the PGA Tour money list, and if he drops any lower he will not qualify for next week's exclusive Tour Championship.

October 25, 2006