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MELBOURNE, Australia — The way Ernie Els sees the Presidents Cup, Royal Melbourne Golf Club is like a savanna in his native South Africa and the United States team is the bared-teeth beast charging at his players.
Sometimes the beast bites, Els told his International squad. And when that happens?
“Put a spear in it and bite back,” he said.
This Presidents Cup is personal for Els, 50, a first-time captain who carries scars from his battles as a player with the United States captain, Tiger Woods. Seven times in his Hall of Fame career, Els finished second to Woods, including four times in major championships.