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Ernie Els seeking a boost in confidence

Ernie Els is aiming to give his fragile confidence a boost at this week’s Scottish Open, the world number six said on Wednesday.

“My game’s been a little bit dicey to say the least,” he told reporters. “I’ve had three weeks off…so the game’s got a bit of rust on it.

“I felt I needed a bit of a break before this week and I feel okay. My confidence isn’t that high but hopefully I can start building.”

Els has missed a total of five cuts this year in Europe and the United States, including the U.S. Masters and the flagship PGA Championship at Wentworth, and his return to the banks of Loch Lomond could not have been timed better.

“I have had a good run here,” said the 38-year-old South African. “I have won twice (in 2000 and 2003) and had some close finishes.

“I feel it’s a good course for me and for my game and I feel refreshed for once.”

Els said the setting at Loch Lomond was one of the best in world golf.

“It is a great venue,” said the triple major winner. “I don’t think there are too many places in the world that get more beautiful than here.

“The holes going down the Loch are beautiful and a lot of pictures have been taken here over the years. The only problem will be the weather.”

Els, though, acknowledged he had taken something of a risk by spending three weeks away from the game, especially with the Scottish Open serving as a warmup for next week’s British Open at Royal Birkdale.

“That’s the gamble I took,” he said. “There was a lot of sport going on down near where I live (at Wentworth) … I went to Henley Regatta and Wimbledon, all over the place.

“It has been nice spending some time with my kids.”

It was earlier this year that Els announced his five-year-old son Ben had autism.

“For a long time golf was absolutely number one,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve changed my thinking a lot because of Ben … but the whole focus should be on getting the best treatment for Ben.

“That’s why we want to spend a bit more time in the U.S. They have got a very good system there for kids in Ben’s situation.

“He is never going to be able to play golf or tennis or rugby. After a while you just get used to it.

“On the one hand we have (daughter) Samantha who is bright and athletic and everything and on the other we have Ben. He is wonderful in his own right and he is special.”

July 10, 2008