Els Wins South African PGA
If Ernie Els was superstitious he'll probably be in church sometime before next week's South African Open in Stellenbosch.
Just two days after being asked by a golf-mad Catholic nun to sign an autograph, the 29-year-old South Africa sauntered to his third Alfred Dunhill South African PGA title at Johannesburg's Houghton Golf Club on Sunday -- his first individual win in ten months.
Starting the day two strokes ahead of compatriot Richard Kaplan, Els turned in a 4-under-par 68 for a total of 15-under-par 273, to beat Kaplan by four shots.
England's Steve Webster, South African David Frost, India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Australian Stephen Leaney all tied for third at 8-under-par 280.
Unlike Saturday's third round, where Kaplan used his knowledge of his home course to keep in touch with Els, Sunday's final round was all about one man.
Birdies on the first and third holes set the early tone and by the time he had picked up another shot at five, Kaplan was already out of touch. Els made the turn on 3-under-par 33 compared to Kaplan's 1-under 35, and with the second nine proving to be a birdie blackhole, Els just needed to play consistent golf to secure the title.
He did just that for most of the last nine, although he did manage to pick up one more on the par-5 16th, while Kaplan reduced the gap on the final hole with a birdie of his own.
During the entire tournament Els, the 1992 and 1995 South African PGA champion, dropped just four shots -- a double bogey during Thursday's opening round and then two single drops during Saturday's third round.
It was the ideal wedding present for the 29-year-old who married long-time girlfriend Liezl on New Year's Eve, and gave him his first individual win since his victory at the Bay Hill Invitational last March.
"It's nice to get a win under the belt especially when you've just put a ring on your finger," Els said afterwards.
Despite the victory, Els admitted that he would be working hard to improve his game on the greens.
"If there was a disappointment this week, it was my putting," Els said. "I probably hit the ball today better than I have for a long time, but the putting was not good."
Although refusing to be over confident, Els said he believes that the World No. 1 ranking, a position he held for two months in 1998, is within reach especially, as the back problem that plagued him in 1998 looks fully recovered.
"I know I've got the talent to do that," said Els. "It was nice to start afresh here, without the back problem, and I played pretty solid."
Soon after his victory, Els received a call from South African president Nelon Mandela, who congratulated him on his win and his new marraige before wishing him well for the year.
"I haven't spoken to the president for about two years now, and it's something that is always nice," Els said. "He really supports South Africa's sportspeople."
Kaplan never challenged Els as he made the turn at 1-under 35 with two birdies and two drops, and then concentrated on making sure of his pars over the second half to keep sole possession of the second-place kitty.
"I wasn't intimidated today, but I just made silly, stupid mistakes," the 36-year-old Kaplan said. "I missed a lot of putts. We read them correctly, but I just couldn't get them on line."
Kaplan paid tribute to Els and described playing with his countryman as "fantastic."
"To watch the ease and grace when he hits the ball is a privilege. He makes it look so easy and it's great to see a player of his class in action close up."
There was also joy for 28-year-old South African Wimpie Botha who aced the 146-metre par-3 12th with a perfect 4-iron that bounced right and spun across into the hole. On the par-4 11th, Botha had also holed a monster 30-foot putt for a birdie, but he still ended on 3-over-par 75 and one-over-par for the tournament.
Els defends his South African Open title next week when the second European Tour co-sanctioned event on the Vodacom Tour gets underway at Stellenbosch Golf Club.