'97 PGA champ Ernie (3)
I believe the answer is:
els
''97 pga champ ernie' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for els that I've seen before include "Golfer; elevated railways" , "South African golfer" , "Angular distances above the horizon" , "US urban railways" , "Successful owner of several clubs" .)