/ 24 February 1999

ELS CLIMBS TO FOUR

ERNIE ELS surged up to fourth in the world rankings on Monday after capturing the Nissan Open on the US PGA Tour on Sunday which he won by two strokes. The ‘Big Easy’ regained his position in the top five following a temporary demotion to number seven after last weekend’s Dubai Desert Classic won by Briton David Howell. Tiger Woods, joint-runner up to Els on Sunday, remains top.

Top 10 (US unless stated):

1. Tiger Woods 12.81 points average

2. David Duval 11.04

3. Davis Love III 9.85

4. Ernie Els (South Africa) 9.67

5. Mark O’Meara 9.49

6. Lee Westwood (Britain) 9.10

7. Colin Montgomerie (Britain) 8.69

8. Vijay Singh (Fiji) 8.35

9. Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 8.21

10. Justin Leonard 7.37