(Reuters) - British Open champion Ernie Els returns to CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, California, for this week's Frys.com Open energized by happy memories of his first appearance at the event 12 months ago. South African Els tied for fourth in last year's Frys.com Open, a performance that gave him hope of an upturn in his playing fortunes after a winless campaign on the 2011 PGA Tour characterized by erratic putting. "(That) was one of my better performances of 2011," Els said on his official website while preparing for Thursday's opening round. ... More...