Ernie Els

Credit to Els, he refuses to go quietly into the night. Though he seems to show signs of aging from time to time, he always manages to show his old form at some point during the season. The problem with that though is his upside is now limited and it's tough to take older players with limited upside in salary cap leagues. He's not the type of player that will fall off the map anytime soon, but he's also not likely to crack the $4 million mark again in his career. As such, he's not worth the price in a salary cap league and he should go in the 6th or 7th round in draft leagues.

Els keeps fighting the good fight, but it's obvious that his skills are declining with age. He'll turn 45 this year and while that's not a death sentence, it certainly makes it more difficult to improve. Els could only muster one top-10 last season and though he might find his old form for small stretches again this year, he's simply not worth the risk in a salary cap league. In draft leagues he'll likely go higher than he should, but he should be in the 80-90 range.

Early reports of Ernie Els' demise were indeed premature. Then again, you wouldn't be blamed if you thought that his sub-$1-million performance in 2011 was a sign of things to come. After all, he's not getting any younger (43). Els appears to have his game figured out as he enters the 2013 season, but he may have set the bar too high last season. Although he still resembles the old Ernie from time to time, those flashes of brilliance are becoming more rare. As such, Els is not a good salary cap pick this season. In draft leagues he should go somewhere in the third round.

No one expected to see Ernie Els at less than $1 million in earnings last year, especially after he posted earnings of more than $4.5 million in 2010, but that's exactly where he ended up after the 2011 season. So how exactly does one go from such a high-level in 2010 to such a low in 2011? Well, he did fall from 33rd in putting to 181st last year. It is said that putting is the first thing to go as you get older, but no one loses his ability to putt this quickly. Els is not likely to reach the heights set in 2010 anytime soon, but he certainly won't spend much time below $1 million. Expect a nice rebound from Els this season.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the golf course last season was the resurgence of Ernie Els. It had been several years since his most recent knee surgery, and the results just weren't there, until last season. The thought entering the season was that Els would remain a productive player, but his best days were long gone. After an early season surge, though, thoughts of a full comeback crept in. Alas, by season's end Els had lost some of the spark he displayed early in the season. Els should again be productive in 2011, but much like other players his age on this list, he'll struggle to significantly improve his 2010 numbers. Els likely will remain in the top 20 on the money list this season, but don't expect a return to the top 10. Els is not exactly a statistical superstar, though, as his highest rank on the core categories, (driving distance, driving accuracy, GIR and putting) was 59th in putting last season.

Els still remains a threat to win any tournament when playing at his best, but his production is gradually starting to fade. Over the past three seasons, Els' earnings have dropped from $2.7 million to $2.1 million. More important, his Official World Gold Ranking has dropped from fourth to 17th. Els has the potential to win a tournament or two this season, but his upside just isn't what it used to be.

Ernie Els' production at the end of the season was there, but his route to that spot was quite different. Els missed five cuts out of 16 events last year. The weeks when he played well, he really cashed in, and the weeks when he was off his game, he simply didn't cash a check. Ernie could go anywhere in the second round.

Els won the HSBC Match Play Championship (Wentworth, England) in October 2007 over Angel Cabrera. In both Asia and South Africa (November-December) he failed to win even against mediocre competiton. Els definitely has to step it up in '08.

Got to hand it to Els, he tried his best to play while recovering from a knee injury, but he just wasn't the same. A few months off at the end of the year should be all he needs to get 100 percent healthy. Once healthy, Els will reclaim a top-10 spot on the money list. Expect Els to rebound nicely in 2007.

Each year there's one player you must have on your squad because of a special circumstance. Two years ago, it was Phil Mickelson when he earned only $1.6 million in 2003. This year, it's Els. There is no logical reason to leave him off your squad at this price. He's already won since coming back from injury. There are several reasons to take him, and if you follow golf you already know why. If you don't take him, you are starting the year in a hole from which you might never get out.

After four near-misses in majors in 2004, Els will look to tend to some unfinished business in 2005. He's at the top of his game and has a legitimate chance at Player of the Year honors in any season. One caveat: he still plays a few European Tour events every year.

Els had an awesome start to last season, then was set back by a wrist injury, then played well for a stretch, then faded a bit coming down the stretch. He's one of the top three golfers in the world -- the problem is the lack of playing time in the States. Tiger can get away with playing less than 20 times, but that's about it. Els will get a win or two over here, and might challenge at a major, but it's difficult for even a player of his caliber to earn $4 million in only 17-19 tourneys.