For Ernie Els it is a regular occurrence as he is an annual visitor to Wimbledon among other sporting events during the British summer and having just witnessed some magical moments from the great Roger Federer he seemed quite inspired as he looked ahead to the challenge of Carnoustie.

The 6ft 3', 15st South African casts an imposing figure but the phrase 'gentle giant' could have been made for him such his demeanour.

"You know I love this time of year and obviously I'm looking forward to the Open. I do the whole British summer thing - I go to Henley, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon," said Els, whose official career earnings are currently running at around 42 million dollars.

"I love the Open and I'm hoping that I can get my second Open title. I have a very good rapport with the fans, they always give me great support," says Els, who was Open champion in 2002 at Muirfield having claimed two US Opens in 1994 and '97.

The 37-year-old also managed third at Hoylake last year, second at St Andrews in 2000, third at Lytham in 2001 and lost a play-off against Todd Hamilton at Troon in 2004.

"I've had quite a few chances to win other ones, most recently the play-off," Els admitted. "I felt I played really well that week and didn't get the most out of it.

"That's as close as you can come to winning the Open so that makes it even more disappointing. But I've always enjoyed the way you have to play these golf courses. I think it suits a strong hitter of the ball, especially when the wind starts blowing."

This year he may have earned over a million but in recent months he has not been in the kind of form to suggest he will threaten to land the Claret Jug for a second time, despite a top ten finish at Loch Lomond.

Though, if anyone is going to tame Tiger Woods, Els clearly feels he has the game but more importantly the mind to deny the World No.1 a hat-trick of Opens.

"I've known Tiger since he was about 16 or 17 ... he was invited to New York, I think it was the Buick Classic, so I'm a bit different to others who play him.

"There is an aura around him, no doubt about it and you have the whole hype of the media and the fans as well. You feel like you're in a bubble when you're head to head with Tiger.

"There's certainly a different intensity, a different kind of pressure but I love that.

"Last year in the third round we were head to head and it was great and I would love that same scenario this year on the final day.

"That would be very special and I think the support would be 50-50 here and it would be a great atmosphere.

"The last couple of months have been very difficult and that's sport you just go through times like this and it's hard to understand but you just have to work your way through it."

While Els would say that he is certainly not in awe of Woods, who is once again favourite to claim the Open, he is quick to draw comparisons with five-times Wimbledon champion Federer - both of whom are starring in a multi-million dollar advertising campaign for their sponsor Nike.

"I think Tiger is like Federer ... when it comes to skill levels they are very similar.

"They are slightly different personalities. Roger is very introverted whereas Tiger although quietly spoken as well he does get fired up, he gets pumped up for matches, you see it."

Els may have rightly earned his nickname 'The Big Easy' whether for his swing or phlegmatic approach to life but behind the smile there is enough steel to match up against the very best.

Settled in his home on the Wentworth course - which he re-modelled - with wife Liezl and children Samatha and Ben, Els is enjoying life on off the fairways.

A day out at Wimbledon is a welcome relaxation away from the daily grind of practice and at one stage in his young life it crossed his mind that he might one day be on Centre Court rather than 18th at Oakmont in '94 when he overcame stifling heat as well as Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie in a memorable US Open play-off over the traditional 18 holes on the Monday followed by the sudden death battle with Roberts.

"When I was young I played all kinds of sport, a little bit of tennis and I was quite good. I played for a provincial team in Johannesburg.

"But I could see that I wasn't quite at the level you needed to be at to go to the top so I pursued the golf which I was quite good at too and things have gone quite well."

Els has gone on to be one of the sport's most engaging figures while at the same time he can take or leave the spotlight with equal charm.

Maybe that is why he has concerns for the troubled women's sensation Michelle Wie.

"She needs to get her wrist sorted out, she needs to be 100 per cent before she plays again and she needs to start playing the game for the game, not for the money, not for the hype and for the endorsements."

Sounds like good advice for a young player whose career is threatening to implode.

As for Els he believes that the British summer owes him one more day in the sun and maybe he will get his wish of walking up the 18th with his friend Tiger and battling it out for that famous piece of silverware come Sunday afternoon.