Immelman with Els
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Three-time major winner Ernie Els has heaped praise on compatriot Trevor Immelman following his stunning wire-to-wire victory at The Masters last weekend.
Els, who has never won the Green Jacket at Augusta, insisted Immelman's maiden major success had not come as a surprise to him.
The 29-year-old became only the second South African to triumph at Augusta, following in the footsteps of the legendary Gary Player.
Although the tournament proved a disappointment for Els, who missed the cut, he was quick to express his happiness for Immelman who finished three clear of Tiger Woods.
"This year's Masters was obviously very disappointing for me personally, but it was a great week for Trevor Immelman and for South African golf," Els said on his website.
"So I want to start this report by congratulating Trevor on his first major victory.
"I've known him since he was a boy and I've watched him develop as a player. He has always had an amazing talent for the game and he's a hard worker, too.
"I'm not surprised he's won a major; not surprised at all. It was a great wire-to-wire win and I couldn't be more pleased for him."
