Ernie Els won his fourth South African Airways Open title at Humewood Golf Club on Sunday and described it as the biggest win at this stage of his career.
Els overturned a three-shot deficit on Trevor Immelman and closed with a 65 to win on 24 under par, three strokes ahead of Immelman, who signed for a 71.
The victory saw Els maintain his record of winning at least once a year since 1992. His total of 264 was also a championship record, surpassing the 267 of Tony Johnstone at Durban Country Club in 1993.
But, most importantly, it was a tremendous morale booster at a time when Els was fighting himself and his game amidst the frustration of trying to regain his form.
”My wife needs a lot of credit. I’ve been a bear with a sore head this year,” said Els. ”I’ve been working harder than ever and felt like I was going backwards. It’s been a tough year for me and my family. So this win is huge for me at this stage of my career. I don’t think it’s really even sunk in yet.”
Els was given the wind he wanted for the final round and started well with a birdie at the second. Back-to-back birdies at holes five and six and Immelman’s drop on six saw him take the lead, and another drop by Immelman on eight gave Els a two-stroke lead going into the back nine.
”I was happy to see a bit of breeze because you had to be more on your game to get birdies and I had the perfect start to my round,” said Els. ”My game plan was to draw level with him through nine and see what happens, but as it turned out I was two ahead through nine.”
With five birdies in six holes from the 12th, Els made the championship his despite a bogey at the last.
The win is also the perfect start to Els’s campaign to become world number one in three years’ time.
”I need something to draw my attention. I think some people might think it’s laughable now the way Tiger is playing, but I need something to motivate me. I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer the game and a lot of goals to achieve.
”It will take a lot of good golf over the next three years, but that’s my plan. I’m healthy now and can start building my swing and confidence. The way I played in this final round will give me a lot of confidence in the Majors next year, so hopefully this is the little step I needed.”
Swede Patrik Sjoland finished third on 20 under, while defending champion Retief Goosen was tied fifth on 15 under.
Branden Grace won the Freddie Tait Cup for finishing as the leading amateur in the field.
The 18-year-old finished at six under par with a final round of 71.
”It was a great privilege to play in the championship and it’s an honour for me to add my name to those already on the trophy,” said Grace. — Sapa