Top 20 Golfers for 2013 Majors: No. 18 Ernie Els

They’re the cream of the major championship crop, circa 2013 — the Athlon Major Championship Dream Team. Leading up to The Masters, we'll be unveiling Athlon Sports’ 20 players to watch for majors season, with commentary on each from the Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee.

No. 18: Ernie Els

Born: Oct. 17, 1969, Johannesburg, South Africa | Career PGA Tour Wins: 19 (27 on the European Tour) | 2012 Wins (Worldwide): 1 | 2012 Earnings (PGA Tour): $3,453,118 (16th)  | World Ranking: 24

Brandel Chamblee's Take

Els was inducted into the Hall of Fame in May of last year, and in July, he once again proved he was worthy of the induction, as he won his fourth career major when he prevailed at The Open Championship. He's still a threat from tee to green every week, but his putter has betrayed him on too many occasions in the last few years and was the reason for him falling out of the top 50 in the world and missing The Masters in 2012.

Major Championship Résumé
Starts: 80
Wins: 4

2012 Performance:
Masters - DNP
U.S. Open - 9
British Open - Won
PGA Championship - T48

Best Career Finishes: 
Masters - 2 (2000, 2004)
U.S. Open - 1 (1994, 1997)
British Open - 1 (2002, 2012)
PGA Championship - 3/T3 (1995, 2007)
Top-10 Finishes: 33
Top-25 Finishes: 49
Missed Cuts: 15

—Brandel Chamblee is lead analyst for the Golf Channel. Be sure to follow him @ChambleeBrandel on Twitter.

Athlon's 2013 Golf annual provides in-depth previews of this year's four majors, including the top 20 players to watch this season. One of these elite players, reigning FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker, also takes you tee to green with full-swing instruction and short game essentials. BUY IT NOW.