Els finds form, ends dry spell
Source: Agencies |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
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ERNIE Els ended the longest drought of his career by winning the CA Championship at Doral on Sunday in Florida, in a duel with South African protege Charl Schwartzel.
Els closed with a 6-under 66 on for a four-shot victory that was far closer than the margin suggests.
He had a one-shot lead as he stood over a 25-foot par putt on the 14th hole and was relieved to see it fall on the final turn. Schwartzel, in his first time on a world stage, fell apart after that, going bunker-to-bunker on the 15th for a bogey and missing two short putts. He shot a 70.
Els last won two years ago in the Honda Classic. He becomes only the fifth player with multiple wins in the World Golf Championships, joining Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson.
It was his 61st victory worldwide, and 17th on the PGA Tour. It moved Els to No. 8 in the world ranking.
Els walked up to the 18th green with his cap in hand, waving to the gallery, unable to contain a smile that showed equal parts relief and satisfaction.
"I'm 40 years old. I've had a tough run," Els said. "Whew! The hairs are standing up. It's just great."
"My game was in good shape," said Els, who finished at 18-under 270. "I just wanted to prove to myself for once. Charl came at me all day. I had to come up with the goods."
It was a strong effort by Schwartzel, who has considered Els a hero since he first started playing golf. Despite two bogeys on the final four holes, he was the only player to give Els a run.
Plugged on 15th
Schwartzel, a houseguest of Els the last two weeks, caught a bad break on the 15th hole when his ball plugged in a front bunker, and he knocked that into a back bunker on his way to a crucial bogey.
"I plugged and that was a killer," Schwartzel said. "For me, it's been the biggest stage I've had. This is a good day for me."
Padraig Harrington fell out of contention with three straight bogeys on the back nine, closing with a 72 to tie for third at 11-under 277 along with Matt Kuchar (68) and Martin Kaymer of Germany, who had a 69 and moved up to No. 7 in the world.
Alistair Presnell of Australia matched the best round of the day with a 64 and tied for sixth. Defending champion Mickelson shot a 68 and tied for 14th.
Els made birdie from the bunker on the opening hole. Schwartzel answered with a 25-foot birdie on the second. Els followed with two straight birdies, the most impressive on the 223-yard fourth with a shot into 8 feet despite a vicious right-to-left wind. Schwartzel fell three shots behind with a bogey from the bunker on No. 5, only to birdie his next three holes.
Els suddenly has good vibes as he begins his road to the US Masters, the one major that has haunted him throughout his career. His victory was worth US$1.4 million.
"Last time I won, two years ago, I got all carried away and I thought I was going to win Augusta. This time I just want to take this in. It's great but next week I am going to work hard again."
Els closed with a 6-under 66 on for a four-shot victory that was far closer than the margin suggests.
He had a one-shot lead as he stood over a 25-foot par putt on the 14th hole and was relieved to see it fall on the final turn. Schwartzel, in his first time on a world stage, fell apart after that, going bunker-to-bunker on the 15th for a bogey and missing two short putts. He shot a 70.
Els last won two years ago in the Honda Classic. He becomes only the fifth player with multiple wins in the World Golf Championships, joining Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson.
It was his 61st victory worldwide, and 17th on the PGA Tour. It moved Els to No. 8 in the world ranking.
Els walked up to the 18th green with his cap in hand, waving to the gallery, unable to contain a smile that showed equal parts relief and satisfaction.
"I'm 40 years old. I've had a tough run," Els said. "Whew! The hairs are standing up. It's just great."
"My game was in good shape," said Els, who finished at 18-under 270. "I just wanted to prove to myself for once. Charl came at me all day. I had to come up with the goods."
It was a strong effort by Schwartzel, who has considered Els a hero since he first started playing golf. Despite two bogeys on the final four holes, he was the only player to give Els a run.
Plugged on 15th
Schwartzel, a houseguest of Els the last two weeks, caught a bad break on the 15th hole when his ball plugged in a front bunker, and he knocked that into a back bunker on his way to a crucial bogey.
"I plugged and that was a killer," Schwartzel said. "For me, it's been the biggest stage I've had. This is a good day for me."
Padraig Harrington fell out of contention with three straight bogeys on the back nine, closing with a 72 to tie for third at 11-under 277 along with Matt Kuchar (68) and Martin Kaymer of Germany, who had a 69 and moved up to No. 7 in the world.
Alistair Presnell of Australia matched the best round of the day with a 64 and tied for sixth. Defending champion Mickelson shot a 68 and tied for 14th.
Els made birdie from the bunker on the opening hole. Schwartzel answered with a 25-foot birdie on the second. Els followed with two straight birdies, the most impressive on the 223-yard fourth with a shot into 8 feet despite a vicious right-to-left wind. Schwartzel fell three shots behind with a bogey from the bunker on No. 5, only to birdie his next three holes.
Els suddenly has good vibes as he begins his road to the US Masters, the one major that has haunted him throughout his career. His victory was worth US$1.4 million.
"Last time I won, two years ago, I got all carried away and I thought I was going to win Augusta. This time I just want to take this in. It's great but next week I am going to work hard again."
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