The 2012 British Open Champion was Ernie Els, a South African professional golfer. Els is a four-time major champion, having won the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, and The Open Championship in 2002 and 2012. He is one of six golfers to twice win both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Els is commonly known by his nickname 'The Big Easy' due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid golf swing.