Australia’s Adam Scott believes the narrow fairways and deep rough at the Sentosa Golf Club’s par-71 Serapong Course helped him maintain focus on his way to a successful Singapore Open title defence on Sunday. The world number six birdied the 18th to defeat South Africa’s Ernie Els in a three-hole playoff and register a first victory since his triumph here 12 months ago.

South Africa’s Ernie Els moved into a one-shot lead early in the Singapore Open third round before play was suspended due to the threat of lightning on Saturday. Els was even par for his round and six under for the tournament, just ahead of two Australians, defending champion Adam Scott and overnight co-leader Scott Strange.

Ernie Els took advantage of cooler morning conditions to fire a second round six-under 65 and grab a share of the lead at the Singapore Open on Friday. The South African mixed five birdies with an eagle and a bogey to stand on six-under par 136 for the tournament, a total matched in the afternoon by overnight co-leader Scott Strange of Australia.

Defending champion Adam Scott and three-time Major winner Ernie Els arrived in Asia for this week’s Singapore Open with big reputations and both will be happy to have negotiated the first round firmly in contention. Els recovered from two over after three holes to post an even-par 71 on the testing Serapong Course hosting the -million tournament.