Ernie Els has sounded an ominous warning to his rivals at next week's British Open, describing his game as in better shape than it was when he won last year's title at Muirfield.
The world number two, who survived a few scares on his way to a five-shot victory at the Scottish Open on Sunday, added that he was now ready to take on Tiger Woods in the heat of battle.
"First of all, Tiger is the number one player in the world, and we all know that," said South African Els, after his closing 69 at Loch Lomond earned him his fifth title of the year.
"But I feel the way I can play and want to play, I can compete against him.
"I feel I am a different player from a couple of years ago, and I feel I can take up the challenge better than I have in the past."
The 33-year-old Els, who has worked hard on the mental side of his game after conceding he had suffered from the 'Tiger factor' in recent years, enthused over his British Open defence.
"When I get to the Open, I love playing there," he said. "If that golf tournament doesn't get you going, then there's a problem.
"You've just got to find the key and go from there. That's what I did last year."
Els won last year's title in a four-way playoff, surviving a roller-coaster ride at Muirfield before clinching his third major at the fifth extra hole.
BETTER EQUIPPED
Twelve months on, he believes he is far better equipped to handle the last-day pressures of a major championship.
"I feel my total game is of a better standard," he said. "I played at a much better standard right through my game this week.
"My putter was a little off, and I will work on that. I think it's more mental than anything. The rest of my game is of a standard that I like.
"I've won a couple of times back-to-back this season and I've played well in the majors, so I've got more confidence with my game now going into a major than I've had for a long time."
Els, whose mental approach to the game has strengthened with the help of Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout, signalled he could provide a genuine challenge for Woods after winning four titles in his first five starts of the year.
He maintained that impressive form to tie for sixth at the U.S. Masters and for fifth at the U.S. Open, on both occasions outscoring Woods.
No one has ever doubted his natural golfing talent, and it now seems his mental confidence is exactly where it needs to be.
"I am just happy I played well this week and happy the way I finished the week off," the man affectionately known as the 'Big Easy' said. "It's a step in the right direction.
"Obviously, next week is totally different, but I am confident in my ability right now."I've been close to my best and I've won quite convincingly. I just want to try to keep it up."
