Ernie Els condemns South African LIV Golf players: "How in the HELL!"

Ernie Els says LIV Golf "showed me the door early on" as he revealed his disappointment at not being consulted by the South African contingent who joined the breakaway tour. 

Speaking to the Palm Beach Post, The Big Easy stated that he had "nurtured" a lot of South African PGA Tour players over the years and he "didn't like" how they bolted from the North American circuit. 

Els told the publication that he's still pals with the likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel but added: "We've lost that comrarderie, definitely." 

Oosthuizen, 40, has added a new player to his Stinger GC roster side in the off-season. Hennie du Plessis was axed in favour of Dean Burmester. 

Related: Which LIV Golf players have been axed for 2023?

The 2010 Open winner previously stated he didn't understand "all the fuss" about LIV.

Oosthuizen also said "it sucked" his decision to join LIV resulted in him missing out on the Presidents Cup. 

Oosthuizen was a topic of conversation in our most recent podcast From The Tips with Sky Sports commentator Tony Johnstone. 

Six-time European Tour winner Johnstone stated Oosthuizen's back is "like glass" and reckons he only has a few years left in the game. 

Els said: 

Els, 53, also said he did not like how they disrupted professional golf.

He said: 

LIV will head into their second campaign still without OWGR accreditation. 

Els has a theory. 

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"They basically showed me the door"

Els also confirmed that he spoke to LIV officials before its launch at Centurion Club last June. 

The South African said he urged LIV to partner with the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and DP World Tour. 

Els said: 

Next page: Two LIV players lose Open spots after R&A rule change