18 December 2006

The past year has been a frustrating one for Ernie Els who, despite working as hard as ever at his game, has struggled to find the consistency to claim titles. However, he put an end to that on Sunday with a fine showing to capture the SAA Open, his fourth national title.

Els was in scintillating form at the Humewood Golf Club, posting rounds of 67, 66, 66, and 65, to record the lowest four-round total in South Africa's national open yet. His 24-under-par 264 bettered Tony Johnstone's 1993 mark of 267, set at the Durban Country Club.

The win also kept intact Els' enviable record of having won at least one tournament every year since 1992. It also lifted his career victories to 62.

Best round in the wind
Making his victory all the more pleasing for the Big Easy was the fact that the wind was blowing in the final round, making conditions anything but simple. Yet, he carded his best round of the tournament, a seven-under 65, to overcome a three-shot deficit to Trevor Immelman, who closed with a 71.

Immelman, the US PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year, matched Els in the first two rounds, as both carded 67 and 66. In the third round, he tore the course apart, firing a nine-under-par 63 to put himself in prime position to capture his third SAA Open crown. However, the conditions and Els put paid to that ambition.

Immelman ended three back on 267, one shot clear of Patrik Sjoland, who finished alone in third. South Africa's Darren Fichardt claimed fourth place on 272, with defending champion Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen, and Andrew Raitt all finishing a further shot adrift on 273.

Credited his wife
Speaking after his win, Els credited his wife, Liezl, for putting up with him during the year as he struggled to make the breakthrough to the winner's circle. He said that despite all his hard work, it had felt as if his game was regressing.

"So," said Els, "this win is huge for me at this stage of my career. I don't think it's really even sunk in yet."

Looking back on the final 18 holes, he said he was happy that the wind had got up a bit because that meant one had to be on one's game to card birdies. "And, he added, "I had the perfect start to my round."

His plan, said Els, was to try and draw level with Immelman through the first nine holes, and then take it from there. As matters turned out, he was two in front by the time he reached the inward nine.

Five birdies in six holes
In fact, he fired five birdies in six holes from the twelfth, and despite a bogey on the final green the title was safely his.

Signaling that the fire to be the best still burns strongly inside of him, Els said his aim is to become the world number one within the next three years.

Adding to Els' success was the performance of one of the members of the Ernie Els Foundation. Branden Grace, aged 18, won the Freddie Tait Cup as the leading amateur, with a six-under-par total of 282.

Scores

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

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	Ernie Els  PGA European Tour  Sunshine Tour

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