Ernie Els, the world's No.1, yesterday stepped into the controversy over the Callaway metal woods by backing the R & A and the USGA in their attempts to halt new technology.

Considering that the South African is paid to play Taylormade clubs, a rival equipment manufacturer, he risked the chance of being accused of having a vested interest.

But he joined an influential group which includes Jack Nicklaus, Nick Price, Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, and Ian Woosnam opposing these advances which they insist are ''neutralising'' their skills.

Els maintained: ''Guys who are playing Callaway clubs will not agree with what I say, but I'm with the USGA and the R & A in their attempts to put a stop to all this technology. These developments are making the game easier for a lot of people. There was always an art in driving the ball. When you used those wooden clubs you had to make a good swing to make the ball go far and straight.

''Nowadays, with the big sweet spot and clubs being so light, you can be off on your swing and still the ball is going to be in play and a long way down the fairway. There has to be some kind of skill in hitting a driver, although I don't think you can ban these clubs. They have come too far.

''Everybody's got enough, but even though there might be all kinds of lawsuits, they are going to have to put a stop to it.

''There cannot be another step after where they are now. I think this is as far as it can go. I am not a club inventor, but they must stop, otherwise it is going to cost even more money to build new courses because guys can drive 280 yards very easily now.''

The world's governing bodies have been carrying out research for the past 12 months and a report compiled for the USGA has concluded that the Callaway clubs violate the rules of the game because their thin faces create a bounce effect.

Mizuno, who are about to unveil a new Active-Kick shaft, could be the next to be investigated. Tests have shown a new tip-stiffening process provides huge distance gains. Then there are the small-headed Orlimar drivers and fairway woods which are in big demand in the USA for the same reason.

Callaway will not back off, having established sales of $842m. Ping won a similar action in 1989 when threatening a $100m. lawsuit over their square grooves.

Since the news of the USGA and R & A's intent, Callaway shares have dropped by $25, wiping millions off the company's value. Founder Ely Callaway said: ''I understand that the USGA and R & A are trying to protect the integrity of the game and provent courses from becoming obsolete.

''There are 30m golfers world-wide, many who play our clubs, and I do not think it would be fair to deprive these players of them. They add five or 10 yards at most.''

qAs weeks go, it has been a marvellous one for the forty-somethings - Sandy Lyle making his first cut in seven outings and finishing the last day in the Volvo PGA Championship, and Seve Ballesteros working his own tardis to shoot 65 in the third round at Wentworth and remind the galleries of how it used to be.

Neither could match the feat of 48-year-old Tom Watson who closed with a 66 for a 15-under par total to capture the Mastercard Colonial at Fort Worth, Texas.

Winning his first PGA Tour event for two years and achieving it on ''Hogan's Alley,'' where Ben Hogan triumphed on five occasions in the Colonial was not lost on Watson.

Dewy-eyed he admitted: ''It is a great honour to win this tournament in the year of Ben's passing. He is an icon here. To put my name up on the wall with the likes of Hogan, Snead, Palmer and Nicklaus after 22 attempts is special. It is like the Masters, the people who have won this event.

''Winning at my age is a rarity and I honestly did not know if I was ever going to win again on the tour. I know the older I get the more I will struggle. It all came down a shot on No 9.''

A pulled drive into a bunker left Watson standing outside the trap above the ball with a pond guarding the green, yet he finessed a No.8-iron 130yds to 10 feet and a birdie."

That pivotal stroke he rates as one of the three best of his career, the others being the chip-in on the short 17 to defeat Jack Nicklaus in the US Open in 1982, and the No.2-iron on 18 to win the Open at Royal Birkdale the following year.

Just as important was the confidence in his new-found putting stroke. His decline as a world-ranked player was caused by his struggles on the green.

Throughout, the traditionalist in him refused to change to a broom-handle putter or try a cack-handed grip. Still, he showed reservoirs of resolve and this has finally paid off.

''When I was not playing well, I did not enjoy it nearly so much. In fact, at one stage in my career, it got to the point where I hated the game - just hated it. Yet you realise that this game does that to you. People who play this game understand that very clearly.

''When my son Michael (15) started hitting the ball past me, I could see the writing on the wall. He has gone from hitting it 180yds to 300yds. He's a 6-handicapper with a lot of raw potential.

''Then I changed my putting stroke, taking the club back shorter and ensuring that I always accelerate through the ball. This has definitely helped me."

In winning his thirty-ninth tournament and the $414,000 first prize, the biggest of his career, Watson's form on the greens was reminiscent of that in his all-conquering era.

It is entirely feasible that he could return as a player to the Ryder Cup team and be a contender at the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco which is one of his favourite courses.

Strange that he should rediscover his touch at a time when he is going through a divorce which reputedly will cost him $25m.