Last updated: August 2026
| Net Worth | $85 million (estimated) |
| Born | October 17, 1969 |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Nationality | 🇿🇦 South African |
Ernie Els, nicknamed “The Big Easy” for his smooth swing, is a South African professional golfer and four-time major champion. His net worth is estimated at around $85 million, built from more than three decades of tournament winnings, a golf course design business, a wine estate, and other ventures.
Early Life & Family
Els was born on October 17, 1969, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew up in Lambton, Germiston. He took up golf at around age eight and quickly showed exceptional talent, winning the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego at age 14 while playing off scratch.
Rise to Fame
Els turned professional in 1989 and rose to the top of the game through the 1990s, becoming a former World No. 1. His breakthrough major victories came at the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, establishing him as one of the dominant golfers of his generation.
Career History
Over his career Els won four major championships in total — the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and The Open Championship in 2002 and 2012 — along with more than 70 professional victories worldwide, including World Golf Championships and a record seven World Matchplay titles. He represented the International team at the Presidents Cup for years and later captained the side. Since turning 50 in 2019, Els has competed on the PGA Tour Champions senior circuit, adding senior major titles to his resume.
How He Built His Wealth
Els has earned more than $52 million in official career tournament earnings across the PGA Tour and European Tour. Beyond competitive winnings, he has built a substantial business portfolio: a golf course design and hospitality company under The Els Club Collection, the Els Performance Golf Academy, and Ernie Els Wines, a premium wine label from his vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa, established in 1999. He has also put his name behind a biltong range and a pet products business, alongside long-running equipment and apparel endorsement deals.
Personal Life
Els is married to Liezl Els, and the couple has two children, including a son, Ben, who was diagnosed with autism. That diagnosis led Ernie and Liezl to found the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009, which supports autism research and family services. Els also founded the Ernie Els Foundation in South Africa in 1999 to provide educational and golfing opportunities to young people from families of limited means.
Between his major championships, decades of tournament earnings and a wine and golf-course design empire, Ernie Els has built a net worth estimated at around $85 million.