Els falls victim to mystery bug 

Two times US Masters runner up Ernie Els has been put out of action by the mysterious bug that almost derailed his WGC-CA Championship campaign last month. Els had been set to participate in the Houston Open as a warm up to the US Masters 2008 before falling ill.

While Els will miss out on the Houston Open, his illness may actually end up benefiting his 2008 Masters campaign, as Els can now look forward to a prolonged break before the tournament, and a chance to focus his attention on the task that lies before him.

Els has already made up for his absence from the PGA circuit by taking a trip to Augusta National country club, where he hopes to gain and edge over other US Masters 2008 competitors by familiarising himself with the conditions at the famous course.

“Nothing much has changed for this year’s championship – just a few nips and tucks here and there – but it’s still a valuable exercise,” Els said of his trip to Georgia. “I work on my ball flight and spin going into the greens and I spend time on my short game, playing those delicate shots that are such a big part of the challenge of Augusta.”

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