Ernie hopes to blow his rivals away
Ernie Els is praying for torrential wind and rain this week to boost his chances of winning his fourth major.
The South African swapped the sunny climate of Johannesburg in favour of living in Wentworth in Surrey where he has grown accustom to playing in the rain.
Els, 38, is bracing himself for some more unpredictable weather but says his time living in the UK will put him in good stead.
He said: "In many ways this week will be a survival test because of the weather. I have been watching the BBC and Sky to see what the weather is going to be like.
"You hope and pray that you are going to get the best of it but it is the luck of the draw.
"I have played this competition in all types of conditions so I'd like to think that experience might help me."
Meanwhile, Els is backing his close friend Sergio Garcia to bounce back from his play-off defeat to Padraig Harrington in last year's Open at Carnoustie.
Els suffered defeat in the same circumstances in 2004 when he lost to Todd Hamilton.
He added: "It is very tough to take but he is young and I think he's got a good one in him this week."
