Ernie Els' Portugal project is drawing attention for more than its scenery

SportLocation Golf Desk · 11 Aug 2026

The strongest reported angle is Ernie Els' new course in Portugal, which Golfweek says offers a dramatic backdrop for PGA Tour Champions. That matters because it places Els' design work in the spotlight alongside his long-standing status in the game, while a separate report suggests his name is also being pulled into wider Tiger Woods comeback speculation.

Ernie Els is back in the golf conversation for a reason that reaches beyond his playing rsum: Golfweek reports that his new course in Portugal offers a dramatic backdrop for PGA Tour Champions. It is the sort of development that keeps a major champion visible in a different role, with design work now carrying as much intrigue as anything he does on the range.

The Portugal project matters because it adds another layer to Els' influence on the game. A new course tied to his name naturally invites attention from players, fans and organisers alike, especially when the setting is described as dramatic. In a sport where architecture and atmosphere can shape a venue's identity, that kind of backdrop becomes part of the story.

There is also a more immediate sense of Els still being active and hands-on. In the supplied golf range imagery, a player is seen working through a fairway-wood swing, finishing high with the club over the shoulder on an open practice ground. It is a fitting reminder of how closely elite golf remains tied to repetition, feel and presentation.

The second reported thread around Els is more speculative but still notable: dailyclubgolf.com says he dropped a major hint on Tiger Woods' surprise comeback plans. That claim has generated interest because any suggestion involving Woods tends to ripple quickly through the sport, and Els' name carries weight when he speaks, hints or is simply associated with a developing narrative.

Taken together, the two reports show why Els remains such a compelling figure. He is not only remembered for what he achieved as a player, but also watched for what he builds and what he may know. A course in Portugal and talk of Woods' future sit in very different corners of golf, yet both keep Els at the centre of attention.

For followers of the game, the appeal is straightforward: Els continues to matter because his influence stretches across playing, design and the wider conversation around golf's biggest names. Whether the focus is a new venue with a striking setting or a rumour that could affect the sport's most recognisable comeback storyline, his presence still commands notice.

Sources & further reading

Ernie Els' new course in Portugal offers dramatic backdrop for PGA Tour Champions

Ernie Els Drops Major Hint on Tiger Woods' Surprise Comeback Plans