By Rob Hodgetts BBC Sport at Wentworth

Els has the ability and the talent to become the number one in the world. He's better than Tiger Woods Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros has hailed Ernie Els as one of the greatest players of all time and called for the world ranking system to reflect his status as the world's best ahead of Tiger Woods.

Els equalled the Spaniard's feat - and that of Gary Player - of winning five World Match Play titles at Wentworth, in the same weekend he became European number one for the first time.

The world number two has won seven titles around the globe this year to Woods' five, including sixth at the US Masters, fifth at the US Open and fifth at the USPGA.

And Ballesteros insisted the world rankings should be calculated yearly instead of the current three-year system.

"Els has the ability and the talent to become the number one in the world. He's better than Tiger Woods," Ballesteros told the BBC Sport website.

"I totally disagree with the world ranking and the system of working it out over three years.

"It doesn't matter how Tiger plays next year, he'll still be world number one.

"I would like to see the world rankings going year-by-year and if that's the case Ernie would probably be the best this year if not next year."

He has a lot of self-control on the golf course and he has all the shots in the bag Ballesteros on Els

The 34-year-old South African won three straight World Match Play tournaments between 1994-1996 before successfully defending the title this year.

And Ballesteros was delighted that Els was joining him and Player in an elite club.

"It's fantastic to see someone equalling our record, especially such a great matchplayer and a real champion - it was going to happen sooner or later. Records are meant to be beaten," said the 46-year-old Ballesteros.

"He's a young man and has a chance to pass Gary and I. I won't be surprised if he does it next year or the year after, though I'm going to practise for next year.

"He's a different player to Gary and I - he's a huge man, very tall, strong and athletic with great flexibility and fantastic technique.

"He has a lot of self-control on the golf course and he has all the shots in the bag. He is one of the best players of all time."

Ballesteros, the former European Ryder Cup captain, won the World Match Play in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985 and 1991.

He also holds the record, with Player, for the most World Match Play appearances, and has played in the event a record 19 straight times.

But he regards Els as the "toughest opponent" he has ever faced.

"I played him in the quarter-finals in 1994 and produced a tremendous game myself but still I lost 2&1," said Ballesteros.