The 48-year-old South African tweeted on Sunday that he had received a Christmas present from the Masters. Although Ernie Els didn't specify what it was, he had to refer to a special invitation to the Augusta Masters 2018 tournament.

Ernie Els receives a special invitation for the 2018 Masters

© Ernie Els via Twitter

The Masters have yet to officially announce Ernie Els' participation in the field for next year.

Big Easy, quadruple winner of majors, although he has never yet won the Masters, recorded six top 10, including two finals in second place, in 23 starts at Augusta during his career. He finished 53rd last year.

There were rumors that Ernie Els would receive a special invite in 2012, having failed qualifying for the first time since his debut in 1994, but he had not received it.

The last player to receive a special invitation was Ryo Ishikawa who received one three years in a row, from 2011 to 2013.