Ernie Els tweeted excitedly a few days ago Thank You for the great Xmas present @TheMasters can’t wait!

Having received an invitation to be at Augusta National as an honorary invitee. However, all was not as it seemed.

Days later he had to say “work continues to qualify to compete at The Masters”

Ernie’s 5 year exemption to play in the Masters for winning the 2012 Open ran out in 2017 and sadly he found out that being an honorary invitee only meant being given two clubhouse passes and a present from the Masters Committee. Even the privilege of being allowed to play practice roy do and the Par 3 contest ended this year.

So, back to having to qualify…