Trevor Immelman said countrymen Gary Player and Ernie Els transcend the sport of golf in their native South Africa.
"(Player) is kind of like the Muhammad Ali of South African sport," Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, said Friday on "Morning Drive."
"Mr. Player has been around, set the trend for South African sportsmen. He did it at the toughest times, playing during apartheid in areas where he wasn't always welcome. He really did the hard yards for the rest of us and showed us it could be done."
As for three-time major winner Ernie Els, Immelman sees him as the King of South African golf.
"Ernie would be like the Arnold Palmer of South African sport," he said.
The Big Easy is wildly popular in his home country, but is highly scrutinized for everything he does.
"Ernie really is a polarizing figure in South Africa. When he's down there, if he breathes, people know about it. He's had to bear the brunt of a lot of that."
-
Tags: Trevor Immelman, Gary Player, Ernie Els
Related Articles
Open Championship Historic Rounds
by Golf Channel Digital | Jun 18, 2013 8:25 AM ETFor the next four weeks leading up to the 2013 Open Championship, Golf Channel will highlight some of the most memorable final rounds in Open Championship tournament history. Read More
Video: Forecasting the Open; Scott, Els talk
by Golf Channel Digital | Jun 10, 2013 2:23 PM ETWin McMurry reports on the forecast and course conditions, and hear from Masters champion Adam Scott and two-time U.S. Open winner Ernie Els. Read More
Wiesberger holds off Els to win in Indonesia
by Ryan Lavner | May 5, 2013 9:29 AM ETErnie Els continues to draw closer to his first post-British Open victory, falling one shot shy in Indonesia on Sunday. Read More
Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
Latest News
- Woods, McIlroy to play in Dubai Jan. 2014
- Rose: Letterman Top 10 | 'Today' | 'Dan Patrick'
- Rose highlights major champ group | Tee times
- Punch Shot: Will Mickelson ever win an Open?
- Li, 10, in Publinx match play | Nine-year-old's 58
- No. 1-ranked amateur Williams signs with Nike
- Obama mentions McIlroy during Belfast speech
- Notes: Rose considers coach Foley a friend
- Rose wins first major | Tops Phil | Scores
- Stock watch: Buying the champ, selling runner-up
- Weekly Fix: Finding the right tempo and path
