Only 21 golfers have won more men’s major championships than Ernie Els.

Names such as Nicklaus, Watson, Palmer. And Tiger, Rory, Phil.

So it’s safe to say Els’ place among the game’s greats is firmly cemented.

Els, though, isn’t satisfied. Not even close.

That’s why he’s the lone player hitting balls on the range after another tough round at The Broadmoor. That’s why he’s trying different drivers, looking for the perfect fit and feel. And that’s why he’s constantly tinkering with his game.

“I’m not quite at my best,” he said Saturday after carding a 2-under-par 68 in the third round of the U.S. Senior Open, his best round of the week. “But I’m trying.”

Els is tied for 10th at 1-under par heading into Sunday’s final round. But he expects to be better. Because that’s the mindset of a four-time major champion.

For a while, it seemed as though the South African would indeed make a charge on moving day. On the 324-yard, par-4 second, Els blasted his drive just off the green. His chip settled next to the hole for a tap-in birdie.

Then came a string of three straight birdies on Nos. 5-7. He was sitting at 3 under for the championship, suddenly within striking distance of the leaders.

“I had momentum,” Els said. “And then I gave it back.”

A three-putt par on the par-5 ninth started the spiral.

On No. 10, his drive came to a stop in the rough and under one of the many pines dotting the East Course. His 6-foot-3 frame did not have much room to address the ball, and he failed to advance the shot to the green. That led to his first bogey of the day.

A poor second shot on No. 11 put Els in a bunker. And then the horn sounded, suspending play because of incoming weather. When play resumed 37 minutes later, Els couldn’t save par.

“We’re not in our 20s anymore so you stand around for 30, 40 minutes, you feel a little bit different,” he said.

“Big Easy” is now 55. He was in his 20s when he won a pair of U.S. Open titles. Then he won a pair of British Open titles, at ages 32 and 42, respectively.

But Els still owns one of the sweetest swings in the game. He still plays with a demeanor that’s perfectly suited for high-pressure golf. And he still draws large crowds of adoring fans.

When his name was announced on the first tee Saturday, a roaring ovation followed.

“Nice drive,” one fan yelled as Els walked toward his blistering tee shot on No. 2.

“Thank you,” Els replied.

Later, after recording seven straight pars to finish his round, he would commend the crowds and the atmosphere.

“They know golf,” he said. “I love playing in Colorado.”

Els loves playing anywhere. That’s why he’s headed to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, where he’ll again tee it up against the world’s best at next month’s British Open.

That tournament begins in 18 days so he’s looking forward to a break.

“I got a bit of time to relax,” he said.

And a bit of time to tinker with his game.