Els eyes Singh example in bid to regain top spot

PACIFIC PALISADES, California, Feb 15 (Reuters) Ernie Els plans to take a leaf out of Vijay Singh's book in his bid to return to the pinnacle of the game.

Fijian Singh, renowned for his work ethic, ended Tiger Woods's five-year reign as world number one in September 2004 and has since enjoyed two more spells at the top of the rankings before slipping back.

''Vijay kind of showed us the way,'' Els told reporters on the eve of today's Nissan Open first round at Riviera Country Club. ''He won nine times that year (in 2004) and it just shows what you have to do to beat this guy.

''It's not like Tiger is going to sit back and listen to all this and not hit another golf ball. He also wants to become better and win more tournaments. It's a huge mountain to climb but that's what I want to do.'' Woods strengthened his hold on the number one spot by clinching the final two majors of last year on his way to a run of seven consecutive PGA Tour victories.

''Tiger really set the bar again in the last year or so, winning those majors and being on the streak right now,'' added three-times major winner Els. ''He is just an unbelievable athlete.

''Back in 2004 you guys were talking about the Big Three (of Woods, Els and Phil Mickelson), and then it became the Big Five.

Now it's going to become a one-man show again.'' GRAND SLAM Els, world number one for a week in 1997 and for two months in 1998, has given himself three years to reach his goals which also include a personal grand slam.

The smooth-swinging South African, who claimed the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and the British Open in 2002, needs the Masters and PGA Championship to complete the set.

''I want to play at a higher level than I've played in the past and I want to win golf tournaments,'' said the 37-year-old, now fully recovered from a knee injury that troubled him for much of last season.

''I want to try and win majors and complete my own grand slam. I still feel if I play my best I'm pretty tough to beat.'' Els, champion at Riviera in 1999, faces a strong field this week including eight of golf's top 10 players, and 15 of the leading 20.

He concedes his pre-tournament approach has been affected by the notable absence of Woods, who has never won the event.

''Whenever Tiger plays he basically shows up with his game and he is effective, especially the way he has been playing the last couple of years,'' said Els.

''So yes, your outlook changes a little bit. Seeing that Phil won last week (at Pebble Beach), he is probably the guy to beat this week. When he gets hot, he is as good as anybody.'' REUTERS SAM PM0958