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Els sticks with caddie plan

Orlando - Fresh off his second straight victory, Ernie Els headed to Augusta National for a quick practice round on Tuesday and planned to take his caddie with him.

Only it's not the caddie who has been on the bag for those two wins.

Els has been using two caddies this year - former NHL player Dan Quinn, whom he met in South Florida; and Ricci Roberts, his longtime looper from South Africa. Els plans to play 26 times this year, and each caddie gets half of the tournaments, including the majors.

Quinn was to caddie at the Masters. Even after two straight wins with Roberts on the bag, Els said that won't change.

"I know a lot of guys said I should take Ricci, but we have made a decision," Els said.

"I've spoken to Ricci and Dan about it, and they are happy and we'll stick with it. I don't think anybody can tell me anything more about Augusta than I already know. I've had local caddies take me through there. I've had everybody take me through there. So I know exactly where everything goes."

Els first used Quinn late last year, and he came within one 5-wood into the water of winning the HSBC Champions.

Quinn, a 44-year-old Canadian, spent 14 seasons in the NHL, scoring a career-high 40 goals with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1987. He took up golf when he retired and played on the Celebrity Tour.

Els met him a few years ago and started playing golf with him.

"Found out that he was a very good hockey player. I didn't quite know that," Els said. "And he played for such a long time, but he was retired for a while. Pretty easygoing guy, although he's serious about what he does."

Quinn caddied for Els before the Florida swing, and will work the Masters and the PGA Championship.

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