Els tops Woods, edged by Stenson
Brad Morgan
5 February 2007
Ernie Els got the better of Tiger Woods in his first showdown against the world number one in 2007, but Sweden's Henrik Stenson fired a final round four-under-par 68 to edge "The Big Easy" by one shot to win the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.
Els had led after three rounds on 17-under-par 199 following rounds of 65, 66, and 68, but he undid his good work on his outward nine in the final round, carding a three-over-par 37. It included three drops in the first six holes.
He closed with a 71, thus allowing Stenson to make up a two-shot deficit, finishing on 19-under-par 269 to Els' 18-under 270.
Woods, who began the last 18 holes three shots behind Els, posted a 69 to share third with Nicolas Fasth, a further shot back. Woods had won nine of his past 12 starts, including seven consecutive victories on the US PGA Tour.
Runner-up again
Els, who had previously won the tournament in 1994, 2002, and 2005,
finished runner-up for the second year in succession. He said he struggled on the greens and with some bad swings.
After his poor start the South African star said he managed to pull his game together, leading to a real battle to see who could make putts.
Congratulating Stenson on his victory, Els said he played "great". As far as his effort went, he said: "I had a good time."
Stenson's win continued a run of excellent results in the Middle East. In his past six tournaments there he has finished in the top-eight six times, including victories on Sunday and in the 2006 Qatar Masters.
'Awesome'
Living in Dubai no doubt helped his efforts and Stenson said it had been special to have local fans, friends, and family watching him during the week. He described edging Els by one for the title as "awesome".
Woods, who wasn't happy with his putting during the tournament, threatened a customary late charge for victory when he birdied
three times in a row, from the thirteenth to the fifteenth hole, including a chip-in on the fifteenth. Like Els, however, he also suffered three drops, on the first, tenth, and eleventh.
It wasn't about the greens either, as Woods described them as the best he had seen in a long time. "It's frustrating," he said.
Encouraging start
Despite not winning, Els has made an encouraging start to the year; last week, at the Qatar Masters, which was won by Retief Goosen, he claimed third place.
Third and second in his only two tournaments of the year suggests that Els will be back in the winner's circle very soon. Last year, he had to wait until December to taste victory, which he did in the SAA Open. That win meant he had recorded a tournament win every year since 1992.
Amongst the other South Africans in Dubai, Andrew McLardy finished on 282 after rounds of 75, 66, 70, and 71, as did Richard Sterne who carded 69, 70, 70, and 73. Charl
Schwartzel finished on 284 after posting 69, 72, 69, and 74, while Hennie Otto finished on 287 after rounds of 71, 69, 71, and 76.
Selected Scores
Henrik Stenson (Swe) 68 64 69 68 269
Ernie Els (RSA) 66 65 68 71 270
Niclas Fasth (Swe) 69 69 65 68 271
Tiger Woods (USA) 68 67 67 69 271
Ross Fisher (Eng) 65 65 71 71 272
Peter Hanson (Swe) 69 65 69 71 274
Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 73 66 68 69 276
Darren Clarke (NIR) 68 70 68 73 279
Andrew McLardy (RSA) 66 70 71 282
Richard Sterne (RSA) 69 70 70 73 282
Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 69 72 69 74 284
Hennie Otto (RSA) 71 69 71 76 287
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