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Els bags European Masters

South African Ernie Els birdied the first four holes on Sunday and shot a six-under-par 65 to win the European Masters by six strokes.

Els, who finished with a 17-under-par total of 267, won his sixth tournament of the season to add to his lead in the Order of Merit.

"This is a special win, my first on the continent," said Els, the second-ranked golfer in the world.

New Zealand's Michael Campbell was second, finishing with a strong 66. Argentina's Eduardo Romero, who led Els by two shots heading into play on Sunday, slipped to third with a 74.

Defending champion Robert Karlsson of Sweden shot a 72 to share fourth place with Scotland's Andrew Coltart and Italy's Emanuele Canonica.

"Ernie had a great start," said Romero, who won in 1994 and 2000.

He also had an adventurous round. At the fifth hole, Els' second shot clipped trees and ended up next to a bench. He was given a free drop and took two more when his line to the green was blocked by billboards.

Then at the 12th, his drive was heading for trouble but hit a fan in the head and went onto the fairway. The fan wasn't seriously hurt, Els said.

Els, whose known as the Big Easy on the tour, said practice and a good final round at the BMW Open in Germany last week helped.

"I've worked hard on my swing, and the 64 in Germany last week and coming in here low-key on Wednesday this week, I felt my swing was better again," he said.

Els, who finished tied fifth at the PGA Championship, said he was recapturing the form that won him four of six tournaments at the start of the year.

"If I had putted like this at the PGA last month, I could have been in with a chance," he said.

Romero, at 49, would have become the European Tour's oldest winner.

"I putted terrible," he said. "I started by three-putting the first. I didn't play too badly and had good chances for birdies but missed them all.

"I tried my hardest to win, but it wasn't to be, and third place is pretty good."

Coltart has finished in the top five four of his last five tournaments. He capped his round by driving the green at the 330-yard seventh hole and sinking a 20-foot putt for eagle.

"It's been another good week, and I'm delighted with my performance again," he said.

The European Masters was the first event of yearlong European qualifying for places on next year's Ryder Cup team.
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