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Ernie Els believes his best is still to come

Revitalised after a four-month injury break at the end of last year, Ernie Els says his best golf is yet to come.

The three-times major winner, renowned for his globe-trotting playing schedule, also believes his golfing itinerary for this season offers him the best chance of success.

"I'm 36 and, relatively speaking, I'm probably passed my prime, aren't I?" the South African told reporters on Wednesday as he prepared for this week's Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club. "But I'm not.

"After my injury break, it definitely feels like the second half (of my career) is now in motion. I have prepared myself well for it. I'm strong, healthy and I'm really looking forward to it.

"Vijay (Singh) has set the standard for the 40-somethings and I'm not even there yet," Els said of the Fijian, who was 41 when he took over from Tiger Woods as world number one in September 2004.

"With technology, there is no reason why I shouldn't be winning tournaments in my late forties," added the smooth-swinging Els.

"I am hitting it over 300 yards and all of that stuff, so I'm keeping up with the younger guys, within 20 yards at least."

The twice U.S. Open champion, who won the 1999 Nissan Open at Riviera, believes his enforced absence from the game last year was beneficial in many ways.

"It was definitely a long break but I wouldn't say I missed it," said Els, who twisted his knee on a family sailing holiday in the Mediterranean last July. "I did not miss it for a good three months, to be honest.

"I just wanted to shut myself off. Not watch it or read about it, just concentrate on other things in my life.

"Maybe a month before I started playing, I felt like I really wanted to practise again. It was a good solid break."

Els, who was edged out by Woods in a playoff for the Dubai Desert Classic 10 days ago, has no regrets over his first 16 years as a playing professional.

"Up to now, I've had a great career," he said. "A couple of putts here and there could have been a lot better two years ago, and that's basically that."

In 2004, Els produced top-10 finishes in all four majors without winning any of them.

He finished a stroke behind Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Masters and lost to American Todd Hamilton in a four-hole playoff for the British Open at Royal Troon.

"I will keep doing what I'm doing," added Els, who has often been criticised for his hectic playing global schedule in recent years.

"If they keep working the schedule they the way they are, and the way it's going to be next year on the PGA Tour, my schedule is going to look really good.

"I'm happy with the way things are going. I'm happy with the way the tournaments I have contracted are slotted through the year now.

"I was really excited about my play two weeks ago in Dubai. I haven't played with Tiger, or in that kind of a field, for a while and to play that well and almost win was quite exciting.

"I'm really looking forward to this year. I'm happy to be playing again."