Ernie Els gave himself an early Christmas present by winning the South African Open on Sunday. More significantly, he proved he had fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered after the 2005 Open.
The smooth-swinging South African has not been at his best over the last 12 months and came desperately close to ending a year without a single title for the first time since 1990.
The professional game has sorely missed a 100-percent fit Els and his three-stroke victory at Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth finally convinced him his recuperating knee can now withstand the rigours of top-level golf.
By ending a 12-month title drought with his 23rd European Tour success, he is poised to challenge Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and company for top honours in 2007.
"The SA Open was my last chance to set the record straight," Els said on his official website. "Now I've done that, the relief is immense.
"I'm not saying this one win changes an entire season, but it changes the way I feel going into the end-of-year break.
"This was probably the most frustrating season I've had as a pro, but I've put all that behind me. I'm looking forward now to 2007.
"It's not like I've fallen off the map completely. I haven't been consistent, I know that, but I don't want to read more into it than there is. These problems were caused by my injury.
"I'm fitter than I ever have been since I came out of the army," added the 37-year-old who is popularly known as the "Big Easy".
"My knee is strong and the important thing is I trust it, I really trust it. That means I can swing the club the way I want to, without feeling that I have to protect it in any way."
World number one Woods understood Els's cautious approach as he missed the first five PGA Tour events of 2003 following knee surgery at the end of 2002.
"His knee surgery was a lot more extensive than mine," Woods said after winning his 11th title of 2006 at the Target World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California on Sunday.
"He had to deal with a lot more scar tissue and things than I ever had to deal with.
"So for him to try and battle through all that and as well as get his game back because he took so much time off, it's not easy to do."
Time is gradually beginning to run out for Els as he aims to build on his career haul of three major titles.
Despite several close calls, he has not triumphed at the game's highest level since his playoff victory in the 2002 Open.
Having twice won the U.S. Open, in 1994 and 1997, he covets a career grand slam of the big four events and therefore still needs to win the Masters and the PGA Championship.
"I see 2007 as the start of a three-year plan, where I totally re-dedicate myself to the game," said Els, who was sidelined for four months at the end of last season after twisting his left knee on a family sailing holiday.
"I want to win more majors and start giving Tiger a run for his money.
"If you look at where he is at the top of the world rankings, it's a big lead so no one is going to get near him any time soon.
"I've got to give myself a three-year stretch to try to approach him and I really believe I can do it. I wouldn't be out here if I didn't."
Els will take the next six weeks off before returning to tournament golf at the European Tour's Qatar Masters from Jan. 25-28.
Thereafter, expect him to be a significant factor in all four majors, starting with the April 5-8 Masters at Augusta National.
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