Ernie Els

A ruptured ACL sustained during a sailing holiday in July cut short Ernie Els' season in 2005, leaving the legendary golfer without a win on the PGA Tour for the first time since 2001. After undergoing surgery, Els is expected to return in time for the FBR Open in February.

Junior world champion at age 14, Els beat a young Phil Mickelson to claim the title, and has gone on to capture over 20 titles in tournaments around the world. In 1997 his excellence on the greens raised him to the No. 1 spot in golf's official world rankings and he has been ranked in the top three ever since.

In 1998, Els married his long-time sweetheart, Liezl Wehmeyer, and the couple soon welcomed their first child. When not on tour, Els and his family enjoy camping, and Els remains a big fan of Rugby and Cricket. Another of his passions, wine, proves that his winning streak does not stop at the golf course. In 2002, the winery's 2000 Englebrecht-Els wine received the highest rating yet given to a South African wine.

2005 PGA Tour Earnings: $1,627,184
2005 Money List Rank: No. 47
2005 Tournament Wins: 0
Average Drive: 302.9 yards