ERNIE ELS OPTS OUT OF TWO EUROPEAN TOUR EVENTS TO BE WITH FAMILY IN FLORIDA

FROM GOLFTALK CENTRAL
BY WILL GRAY

Many veteran players have spoken in recent months about cutting back their playing schedules, but one who seems serious about it is four-time major champion Ernie Els.

Els announced this week that he will be skipping a pair of upcoming European Tour events, the Volvo Golf Champions in his native South Africa and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, so that he can  spend more time with his family in Florida.
"I am really sorry to miss the Volvo Golf Champions and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship but for personal reasons I have decided to remain at home with my family and play my first event once my children return to school," explained Els.
Now 44 years old, Els made 26 worldwide starts during the 2013 season, with 19 coming on the US PGA Tour. He already has two starts under his belt for the new wraparound season, including a tie for 11th at the WGC-HSBC Champions, but last month reiterated his desire to play less competitive golf in the coming months.
"I haven't really got a game plan for 2014 yet, but I definitely have to play a slightly different schedule," the South African explained.
"It's always been difficult leaving the house, but now you really see your kids growing up and it gets more difficult to leave them for any length of time."