Ernie Els Confirms Rumor that He Once Beat Up Steve Marino

There are always rumors that fly around the PGA TOUR but there may be none more interesting or crazy as the one that involves Ernie Els and Steve Marino. And now, Els has confirmed the long-standing and highly speculated rumor.

As the story goes, Els met Marino over a few beers and the two hit it off after a tournament. After talking about their upcoming schedules, they realized that they were both playing in Japan in a few months, in which Els offered Marino a ride back to the States on his private jet. Marino gladly accepted, setting up the story of a lifetime.

After they eventually played the tournament in Japan, Els remembered his offer and invited Marino for a ride back to the U.S. While on the flight, the two again started pounding back some beers, and Marino was having the time of his life. That only lasted a for part of the trip, however, as Els laughed and told Marino that it was time to fight, headbutting him and then repeatedly hitting him.

Nick Price of South Africa and Ernie Els of South Africa shake hands…

Nick Price of South Africa and Ernie Els of South Africa shake hands during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 12, 2018 in Southampton, New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

The co-pilot eventually came in to break up the fight for safety purposes but that wasn’t the end. Already bloodied up, Marino decided he was going to get some shut-eye. When he woke up, however, Els was standing over him and began the fight again!

The co-pilot broke it up again and the two were separated for the rest of the flight.

Ever since this story hit the public, many have wondered if it was a true, with neither party acknowledging it happened. Well, this week Els was finally asked straight up if it was true and he confirmed it!

Els didn’t go into much detail simply saying it was a “lovefest” and that no one got seriously injured as a result. I wonder if Marino would have the same recollection.

Well, if anything, this story proves that even the best of us can still get wild when alcohol is involved. And now I know that if Ernie Els ever asks me on to his private plane for a flight, I’ll politely decline the invitation.

Cover Image via Instagram