Els ‘exorcised a ghost’ on first tee

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Ernie Els on the second hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)

Ernie Els opened his 23rd Masters on Thursday and a not-so-kind memory from last year was right there beside him.

“I was really nervous on the first tee,” Els said. “So it was nice to get that one in and kind of get going.”

In last year’s first round at the Masters, Els walked off No. 1 with a frightening experience of six-putting No. 1 for a nine on the par 4.

“Yeah, yeah I did feel like I exorcised a ghost,” Els said. “But then I bogey No. 2.”

Els finished his round with a solid even-par 72, good for a tie for 12th place. One of the highlights bringing a roar from the patrons was his 26-foot putt for a birdie at No. 16.

“I just tried to hit as good of shots as I could,” Els said of his round in the nasty, windy conditions. “And the putts went in.”

Els has said this year could be his last playing in the Masters. The 47-year-old said if 2017 is his finale, no worries.

“I would like one more,” Els said. “But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’ve had a great time. The members, the people have been so kind to us. And as I say, if you can’t win in 23 tries then maybe you should try something else.”