Ernie Els won the South African Airways Open in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, coming from three shots off the pace to win by three with a closing 65 and a 24-under-par return of 264 over the Humewood links.
This breaks the record for the 72-hole aggregate in the world's second oldest national open after the British Open, pipping the 21-under 267 set by Tony Johnstone at Durban Country Club in 1993.
Overnight leader and fellow South African Trevor Immelman slipped to a 71 on Sunday to finish second on 267, one ahead of Patrik Sjoland of Sweden who was third on 268.
South Africa's Darren Fichardt was fourth on 272, followed by compatriot and defending champion Retief Goosen who tied for fifth on 273 alongside England's Andrew Raitt and another South African, Louis Oosthuizen.
Els was emotional after sinking the final putt because he feels it proves he can still win again after a season that up until Sunday had not yielded a victory.
This meant his record of winning somewhere in the world every year from 1991 through to last year was in danger of coming to an end here at Humewood, his last event of this year.
"It's been a frustrating year, with me having come close to winning several times but not being able to close the deal," Els said.
"I've been like a bull with a sore head because winning for me is what golf is all about and it just wasn't happening, so to come through here was a huge relief," confessed the so-called "Big Easy" who with Sunday's triumph brings his worldwide tally of victories to 60, including three Majors, a record six World Matchplay titles and now four South African Opens.
"I finally feel completely at the top of my game again following my knee injury in the middle of 2005. That set me back for a good year. Now instead of trying to play patch-up golf, I'm finally in the building process again," he said.
"My goal over the next three years is to get back to No. 1 in the world [a position he held briefly in the mid-1990s]. I know some people may think this is laughable, because Tiger's so far ahead of everyone else right now and playing great," Els said.
"But I'm healthy again, I feel I have a lot to offer the game and I'm motivated to try and catch Woods. It'll take a lot of good golf over the next three years from me but I'm up for the challenge so let's see what happens," he said.
The Humewood links is known for its wind, but Friday and Saturday were benign before it started blowing again for the final round.
"Having a bit of a breeze suited me, to be honest," Els said.
"It meant you had to be a little bit more on your game and I came out swinging well and feeling confident after a long session on the practice range on Saturday evening. I was three behind at the start of play today and my goal was to try and haul Trevor in after nine holes," he said.
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