Els sets schedule for major success

South African Ernie Els has organised his whole schedule this year to give him the best chance of adding to the three major titles he has already won.

The world number five has two US Opens and one Open Championship - which was the last of his majors in 2002 - in his trophy cabinet but has struggled to recapture his form in recent years after knee surgery.

Referring to his schedule he said on his website, www.ernieels.com: "It looks a little different to previous years. This reflects my desire to try to gear my game around the majors and the other big tournaments."

Having built his reputation on playing all over the world in many varied tournaments, Els said he was now trying to concentrate on peaking for the big events.

"To be honest, I think there were maybe times in the past when I've tried to please too many people," he said.

"Not now. I'm 38 and I need to think about me and how I can give myself the best chance to add to the three majors that I've already won.

"The biggest single goal that I have left in this game is to win the career grand slam - to win all four majors at least once - before I'm done. It's important I do everything in my power to make that goal achievable."

One of his decisions is to skip next month's Accenture World Match-Play Championship in Arizona.

Els starts this season at the Dubai Desert Classic in three weeks' time and then plays the following week's Indian Masters and will not launch his American campaign until the Honda Classic in Florida starting on February 28.