Golf legend Ernie Els has officially withdrawn from The Open Championship 2025, opening the door for Si Woo Kim to step in as a late replacement. The two-time Claret Jug winner leaves fans stunned as no official reason has been given for his sudden exit just days before the tournament tees off at Royal Portrush. Has Els played his last Open? And what does this mean for the future of golf’s oldest major? Find out the full story behind this last-minute withdrawal, Els’ Open legacy, and the opportunity now handed to rising star Si Woo Kim.
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Four-time major winner Ernie Ells has officially withdrawn from the Open just days before the prestigious championship returns to Royal Portrait. The 2002 and 2012 Open Champion will not be in the field for golf’s oldest major, marking a quiet end to what may be his final appearance at the Northern Irish venue where he last made the cut 6 years ago. The RNA has not yet provided a reason for the 55-year-old South African’s late withdrawal. El’s place in the field will now be filled by South Korea’s Sew Kim who was first in line on the reserve list based on world rankings. El’s known as the big easy was in action this week at the Dicks open on the PGA Tour champion circuit in New York where he carded rounds of 70 and 69. There was no indication of an injury or withdrawal from the senior event adding to the mystery around his decision to step away from the open. The South African has competed in the Open 26 times throughout his story career, but recent years have not been kind. At Royal Trune in 2023, El’s withdrew before the second round due to a back issue that followed a series of missed cuts and a T32 finish during the Open’s last stop at Portric. El’s open legacy is still one of the most distinguished in modern golf. He captured his first Clara Jug in 2002 at Murefield after surviving a dramatic four-man playoff. 10 years later in 2012, he clinched his second open title at Royal Life in St. Anis, capitalizing on Adam Scott’s late collapse in a memorable Sunday finish. While Els has remained competitive on the Champions Tour, including qualifying for the players championship earlier this year, he opted not to tee it up at TPC Sawrass. With Open Champions historically granted exemptions until age 60, L still has five potential appearances remaining, though a rule change in 2024 now caps that exemption at age 55 for future winners. Whether this marks the end of Ernie El’s open journey remains to be seen, but for now, golf fans will miss one of the sport’s great links performers at Royal Portrait.
