Els withdraws from South Africa's Nedbank Challenge

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SUTTON COLDFIELD, England (AP) -- Ernie Els will miss the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa in December for the first time since he made his debut appearance in 1992.

Els has won the Sun City event -- formerly known as the Million Dollar Challenge -- three times but announced his decision to withdraw through his management agency ISM during the British Masters on Saturday. The South Africa native said he wanted to remain in Florida, where he moved this year to give his son Ben better treatment for autism.

"This was something I have given a great deal of thought to but reluctantly decided that it was something I needed to do," Els said. "It will be the first one I have missed in 17 years, but after moving my base to America this year and never previously having had a break in December, I decided I would spend more time with my family settling into our new home."