Why is it necessary to defend the world's third-ranked player? Because so many people are dead-set on seeing Els's glass as half-empty. Yes, he came close to winning all four majors last year--2nd at The Masters, T-9 at the U.S. Open, 2nd at the British Open (lost in playoff) and T-4 at the PGA Championship. But I don't feel Ernie is snake-bitten, "a modern-day Greg Norman," as some have accused. In fact, Ernie is a much stronger competitor since he began working with sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout. He's mentally tougher and can handle the stress of majors better.

Question: Between Els and Todd Hamilton, who had the better major year? Hamilton was impressive as he beat Els in the playoff at Royal Troon, but he was 40th at the Masters, missed the cut at the U.S. Open and tied for 37 at the PGA. In essence, Els lost Game 7 of the World Series 1-0. Would it hurt less if he had been blown out 14-2? I'm sure he'd rather be in the fight to the finish every time.

Ernie's reactions to disappointment, especially after The Masters and British Open (and, more recently, the 2005 Mercedes Championships), tell you all you need to know about him. He stuck around and answered all the tough questions, acknowledging his frustration but vowing to bounce back. And, oh, by the way, he already owns three major titles.

The Big Easy has a new, more intense work ethic. I think he sees all his close calls as the glass being half-full, and I think he'll fill it--and then some--throughout 2005. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not just a pessimist but wrong-headed.

Same Old, Same Old
We enter this year's Masters without major off-season course changes at Augusta National. To that I say, Amen!

The course has been tweaked enough in the last five years to prepare it for the future. However, we all need to take a deep breath and get over the desire to see courses play the same today as they did 50 years ago. Augusta remains a magnificent test, just as it was when Arnold Palmer was charging to his first Masters victory in 1958. Let's try to appreciate that while recognizing that golf is a different game today, from larger drivers to sometimes nutso hole locations.

It's futile to try to turn back the clock. You can lengthen Augusta so that players hit 6-iron into the 18th green just like Palmer did, but it's not the same club. Today's 6-iron has the loft and length of a 1960s-era 4-iron. What's the point? The obsession with the clubs players are hitting to greens is insane--and irrelevant.

I'd prefer to see older courses toughened up by other means. Make players control distance and direction simultaneously on more shots. Narrow the fairways, firm up the greens and add some bunkers, and they'll think twice before bombing away. That's an advancement I can get behind.

Peter Kostis is a GOLF MAGAZINE Contributing Writer and a golf commentator for CBS Sports.