IGWT: Here we go, Ernie ... What was your average driving distance in 2007 for the European Tour?
EE: Uhhh, I would say about 298 yards. I dunno, something like that.
IGWT: 299.42 yards
EE: Was I close enough?
IGWT: I think that was a very good guess.

IGWT: OK, in your first European Tour season, in 1992, how much to the nearest thousand pounds did you win?
EE: Oh, I remember that. I finished No. 33 on the Order of Merit, I think. That's a good question, actually. Pounds? ... I'll say £80,000. IGWT: It was £67,000.

IGWT: What was your best finish in your first year on the European Tour in 1992?
EE: That's easy. It was The Open, when I tied for fifth. I got that one right for sure.
IGWT: That's correct. And the next question was in which tournament, which you've already answered. Now can you tell us what your score was?
EE: Ja, I was 5-under, which was 279.
IGWT: That's right, but do you remember your scores each day?
EE: Oh crap, uuummmmm ... I shot 74 on the last day, I remember that for sure. 69 the third day, 66, I think, the second day, which makes it 70 on the first day. I think that's right.
IGWT: You got the scores right, but you mixed up your days. It actually was 66-69-70-74. You got worse each day. Good try though. ... How much money did you win to the nearest thousand pounds?
EE: Ummm, I think I won £33,000.
IGWT: It was £30,071 and 43 pence. ... Which players finished above you?
EE: That was Nick Faldo, of course. John Cook ... Ummm, let me think now ... Olazabal and Steve Jones, I think.
IGWT: You got the first three players right - and you got Steve's first name right.
EE: Steve … oh, was it Steve Pate?
IGWT: That's right.

IGWT: What was your score when you won your first U.S Open in 1994?
EE: 279.
IGWT: Do you remember your four-round scores?
EE: (Laughs) Oh crap, that again! Ok, 69, 71, 66 and 73. Is that right?
IGWT: Absolutely! And who were the two runners-up?
EE: Agh, that's easy, Loren Roberts and Monty.

IGWT: Your first win on the European Tour came at the Dubai Desert Classic in 1994, where you broke the course record on your first round. What did you shoot?
EE: 11 under, 61.
IGWT: What was your winning score in that event?
EE: I was minus 20.
IGWT: And what was your margin of victory and who finished runner-up?
EE: Greg Norman finished second ... and I think I beat him by 2 shots.
IGWT: Actually it was by 6 shots.

IGWT: What do you have in common with Evel Knievel, Peter Stringfellow and Eminem?
EE: Must be the same birthday.
IGWT: Correct.

IGWT: What are your three "personal interests" as cited on your European Tour biography?
EE: (Laughs) Agh! That's been like that for 15 years. Reading, movies, and sports. They put that up when I was 21!
IGWT: You're on fire.

IGWT: What was your stroke average on the European Tour in 2007?
EE: 69 point, uhhh!!! I'll say 69. ... What was it? IGWT: 70.1.
EE: Oh crap, a whole shot.

IGWT: What variety of grapes were used in your Vintage 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Ernie Els label)?
EE: Cabernet Sauvignon.
IGWT: That's not what I've got written down right here.
EE: Well, the Cab Sauv only has one grape, the Cabernet Sauvignon. The Bordeaux Blend has Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
IGWT: That's correct.
EE: You better give me a bonus point there. You tried a trick question on me. I know my own wines, pal.
IGWT: How many points out of 100 did your Cabernet Sauvignon get in the US Wine Spectator Magazine?
EE: Which year?
IGWT: You tell me.
EE: Well in 2001 we got 93 points, 2002 we got 91 points, and 2004 we got 92 points.
IGWT: The answer I was looking for was 92.
EE: So give me more bonus points, please.

IGWT: What is your Official World Golf Ranking as of 25th November 2007?
EE: I'd say Number 5.
IGWT: Spot on.

IGWT: Back on form, Ernie. Can you name the rivers that inspired the Bingara Gorge golf and real estate project outside Sydney?
EE: I have no idea about the rivers. All I know is that there is a bunch of dry gorges there, so no, I don't know.
IGWT: They are the Nepean River and Allens Creek.
EE: OK, fine. I wouldn't have got that.

IGWT: The 12th hole at Whiskey Creek, the course you designed in Maryland, is one of the most challenging on the course. What's the yardage and the par?
EE: OK, now I got to think. 10, 11, 12 … 12 is a dogleg left … I'd say 465 yards off the back and it's a par 4, stroke 2.
IGWT: It's a par 4 at 455 yards.

IGWT: To the nearest 10, how many consecutive weeks have you occupied a spot in the Top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings?
EE: Oh, I know this … Weeks? Ah, it's 700.
IGWT: It's 655 consecutive weeks.
EE: Now why would they say 700 on TV? Liezl (Ernie's wife): Never trust Dale Hayes.
EE: Ja, he's a dick (laughs).

IGWT: Last question, the promising tour player James Kamte is a graduate of the Ernie Els Foundation. Do you know what his nickname is from his time as a footballer?
EE: I wouldn't know. Pele ...? Striker?
IGWT: It was The Cobra.
EE: (Laughs) Bliksem! (a mild Afrikaans profanity).

IGWT: Thanks Ernie. I'd say we should give you a bonus point on the wine question but we'll see what the boys do back in the office. But it's kind of like the Tour, editor's decision is final. ... We very much appreciate you taking out the time to talk to us.

EE: Ja, thanks, man. That was fun. I enjoyed it. Cheers!

(* Decision on the bonus point: Lee Westwood was begging for bonus points too, but Ernie makes his own wine and knows what goes into them. Bonus point awarded. - Ed.)