HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Ernie Els had an unusual Masters week.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, he chased sport fish instead of the green jacket.

Els had qualified for 18 consecutive Masters, yet missed Augusta National for the first time since 1993.

Some players might’ve avoided the TV. Not Els, who watched from his home in Jupiter, Fla., and cheered on the action like most golf fans around the world.

“It was weird being home,” he said Wednesday. “But it gave me fresh energy to try and get back there next time.”

His first chance starts Thursday when Els tees off at the RBC Heritage.

World No. 1 Luke Donald, defending champion Brandt Snedeker and Masters third-place finisher Matt Kuchar are also competing in the first PGA Tour event since Bubba Watson won the Masters in a playoff over Louis Oosthuizen.

Els has liked the way he’s played this year and had hoped to score a victory during the season’s first few months to get him back to Augusta.

He nearly pulled it off, too, finishing fifth behind Luke Donald at the Transitions and fourth in back of Tiger Woods at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Els was a major player at Augusta from 2000 to 2004, never finishing worse than sixth and twice leaving as runner up — to Woods in 2000 and to Phil Mickelson in 2004.

Els’ game slid there his last seven appearances, missing the cut three times and never finishing better than his tie for 18th in 2010.

He filled his Masters week with some rest, a little practice and even a fishing trip.

“I tried to get a sailfish,” he said. “I didn’t get a sailfish, but I got some other stuff.”

Els hopes to win the RBC Heritage after several near misses: He’s got seven top 10s in 12 appearances.

He held a two-stroke lead with three holes to go in 2003 before driving out of bounds and missing out on a playoff. Els’ last best chance came in 2007.