The Little Easy

Is a Four Time Major Champion and You Get Down to Scratch by the the Age of 12, Living Up to Expectations Is a Tall Order. But Just Like Ernie Els, Young Jovan Rebula Is Making It Look Easy.

NO ONE IS BETTER QUALIFIED to critique the impressive game of reigning British Amateur champion Jovan Rebula than Ernie Els. To suggest the three-time Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion is proud of his 21-year-old nephew’s rise is as glaringly obvious as Els’ own swing is syrupy. “You know, he’s got a strong all-round game,” Els says of the plus four handicapper who is nearing the end of his time at Auburn University in the U.S. collegiate system, the PGA Tour’s ultimate finishing school. “He hits it a long way, very tidy short game, and he has a mature head on his shoulders. Obviously we’re all very proud of him. Personally, I’d love it if he went out there and broke every record that I ever set.”

Rebula has a way to go before he’s contending for claret jugs and U.S. Opens but is banking invaluable big event experience courtesy of his 3&2 victory over Irishman Robin Dawson in the 36-hole British Am final at Royal Aberdeen last June. He’s gone on to play the Open at Carnoustie and with uncle Ernie in the third round of the South African Open late last year where he won the Freddie Tait Cup for low amateur honours. Dubai’s world amateur No.17 Rayhan Thomas is next in Rebula’s crosshairs, their showdown at the 30th Desert Classic an absorbing entrée to the two remaining prizes from his Aberdeen win, scarcely believable invites to the Masters at Augusta National and U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

“Being paired together in the third round was very special,” Els said of their friendly battle at Randpark in Johannesburg. “It was a big occasion for him but he handled it very well. That’s a positive sign. At that age, every big event you play in you learn such a lot.”