7 March 2005

It's no wonder they call him the Big Easy. After a three-week layoff that could hardly be called a holiday, Ernie Els returned to action in the Dubai Desert Classic on the weekend and proceeded to capture the title for a record third time.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Els visited South Africa for the opening of the spectacular Oubaai Golf Estate, where he had designed the championship course.

He then left for Dubai a little early to take a look over the Dubai Sports City development, where he is designing another golf course. Maybe it was his early arrival that helped him overcome his three-week break.

First round lead
Els opened with a six-under par 66 to take the lead on the same course where he famously fired a 61 in the first round in 1994 – a round that included 12 birdies – on his way to victory in 20-under par 268.

He shot a solid 68 in the second round, but was two shots behind Miguel Angel Jiminez at the halfway mark after the Spaniard fired a seven-under par 65.

Els, though, pulled to within a shot of Jiminez in the third round with a five-under 67. Then, in the final round, he did what great players do: produce the big shots when the pressure is on.

Sank the money putt
Faced with an 18-foot putt for eagle on the final hole, he sank it to move from behind to ahead of Jiminez, who had led for most of the way. That money putt gave Els a four-under 68, and a total of 19-under par 268 for the tournament.

"The putt on the 18th was just about perfect", Els reckoned. "I needed a win. I needed to play really well before the Masters, and to do it after a three-week break makes me very happy.

"This was a big win. I've had some near misses where it looked like I should have or could have won, but I didn't, and this one I pulled out of the hat."

Good form in 2005
The victory was the first of 2005 for the Big Easy; not that he hasn't been in good form. On the European Tour he's played three times. Apart from his Dubai win, he claimed fifth spot in the Heineken Classic and third in the Dunhill Championships

On the US PGA Tour, in three outings, he's claimed third in the Mercedes Championships, second in the Sony Open and sixth in the Buick Invitational

Six tournaments: R8 854 727. That's Els' winnings from just those six events in 2005. Already, he has enjoyed the kind of success that many pro golfers would happily accept for an entire year, or more.

Eyeing the majors
Next up for Els is the Qatar Open, as he eyes his first US Masters title, to go with his two US Open victories and one British Open title.

Interestingly, Els is defending the European Order of Merit title that he captured in 2004 for the first time, but he is just second in the standings. Top of the table is two-time winner Retief Goosen.

Despite Els' Dubai Desert Classic win, and his strong showing in the two other tournaments, he trails Goosen by over 60 000 euros, despite the Goose having played only one event that counts towards the European Tour. A third place finish in the World Golf Championship - Accenture Matchplay was worth 428 297 euros to Goosen, good for earnings of R3 333 191.50.

SA results in the Dubai Desert Classic

T59. 285 (-3) Matthew Kent 74-69-72-70

	A consistent performer anywhere in the world, Ernie Els continues to rack up the wins

	Goose named Golfer of the Year Retief toughs it out at Sun City South African golf: a success story Ernie's Heineken Classic hat-trick Dramatic Open win for Ernie Golf: Retief Goosen Golf: Ernie Els Golf courses in South Africa

	Ernie Els  PGA European Tour  US PGA Tour  Sunshine Tour  Oubaai