Former No 1 golfer Ernie Els has paid tribute to his countryman Nelson Mandela who he hailed as the "father of the country".

The four-time Major winner described Mandela's death as a "very sad day for South Africa and the world."

Els also talked about his personal relationship with the iconic anti-apartheid leader.

"I met him for the first time in 1994 at a dinner in Johannesburg and we stayed in touch. I used to play that tournament at Houghton and his home was very close to Houghton Golf Club. He came over one time and we exchanged gifts with each other. I have still got the picture from that day in 1996 in my office in the US. And then every time I won a tournament he used to call me," said Els.