Ernie Els had a million reasons to smile when he crushed Thomas Bjorn 4 and 3 in the final of the World Match Play final in the United Kingdom on Sunday.
One was the £1-million first prize, the largest in European history. Another, it tied him with Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player for the record number of World Match Play titles.
A third, it was his seventh win of the season — the most times he has won in a year.
Ballesteros, who followed the final, insisted that world number two Els had more natural talent than Tiger Woods and could replace the American as world number one.
Bjorn agreed.
”He’s the only one that can threaten him,” said the Dane.
Els declined to comment but admitted that the fear he had for Tiger in 2000 was long gone.
”I’m a lot stronger mentally now. I’m getting there,” said the South African.
”I’ve had a great year and this is a great way to finish it,” said Els. ”It was tough playing against Thomas. We’re good friends and we both just live up the road. Thomas just wasn’t up to his best.”
Els was never in trouble as he went in front after the third hole and never relinquished the lead. Even a stunning hole-in-one on the 32nd hole by Bjorn could not faze Els.
He still had a four-shot lead with only four holes to go.
The South African got to four up after only nine holes and although Bjorn staged a minor fightback in the homeward nine before lunch, Els reached the halfway stage three up.
Bjorn looked uncomfortable with his swing as he began spraying the ball off the tee as he was never able to put the South African under any real pressure.
By the time the players reached the 28th hole Els was six up and it was only a question of when, not if, he would put the Dane out of his misery.
A battling Bjorn delayed the inevitable when he eagled the par-five 12th and then scored a stunning hole-in-one at the par-three 179-yard 14th, but Els sealed victory on the 15th when he sank a 26-foot par putt.
Bjorn had the consolation of winning a £30 000 Toyota for his ace.
”All in all it was a good week. There is no shame losing to this guy,” said Bjorn.
”I didn’t play my best today. I wasn’t good enough but my golf is going in the right direction. I just need to improve a little bit in every category, be more consistent.”
Sunday’s win completes a perfect week for Els, who celebrated his birthday on Friday.
Then he was confirmed winner of the European Order of Merit on Saturday when Darren Clarke, the only player who could overtake him, announced he would not play next week in Madrid.
The Ulsterman had to win both Madrid and the Volvo Masters at Valderrama to top Els.
Els was unfazed when he was asked if he thought the £1-million prize was an obscene amount of money.
”It is an obscene amount of money …. but I’m comfortable with it,” he laughed.
But he stressed he had no intentions of splashing out after his record-busting win.
”Bank it,” he announced. ”I’ve spent enough money. I’ve kids to feed.” — Sapa-AFP