Ernie Els felt relief more than exhilaration after beating his house guest, South African countryman Charl Schwartzel, to win the US$8.5 million CA Championship by four strokes on Sunday.
“This means so much. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen again,” Els said after producing a bogey-free, six-under-par 66 final round to end a two-year victory drought.
Els and Schwartzel turned the World Golf Championships event into a South African showdown in a demanding breeze at Doral’s Blue Monster.
PHOTO: AFP
They started the final round tied and although Els never trailed, he took a long time to put away his much younger countryman, the final duo being level with eight holes remaining.
The 14th hole proved pivotal as Els sank a 25-foot par-saving putt to retain a one-shot lead before pulling away down the stretch for a victory that was not quite as comfortable as the final margin suggests.
Els finished at 18-under 270 with Schwartzel runner-up on 14-under after a final-round 70. Irishman Padraig Harrington, German Martin Kaymer and the US’ Matt Kuchar tied for third, three shots further back.
Els collected US$1.4 million for his second WGC victory, his 17th on the PGA Tour, but he was not in a mood to make any bold predictions of future glory.
“I said too much last time I won,” continued Els, who has blown a few tournaments in the past couple of years.
“I was a bit too cocky. I want to enjoy this one. This took so much work to win. The older you get, the tougher it becomes to win. I’m 40 years old and it feels like I had so many chances in my 20s and didn’t take them,” Els said.
“I was just different today. I cant explain it [but] I felt I wasn’t going to mess up badly. I wish I felt like this all the time. I’ll just have a bit more confidence now, I’m sure,” he said.
Els felt “surreal” playing with 25-year-old Schwartzel, who was a house guest at his Florida estate last week and will be again this week.
“I felt awkward because this young kid, he’s still like a 15-year-old in my eyes. It was a little different, but I think both of us were very professional today,” Els said. “Obviously I’m glad I won and I’m glad he finished second [because] he’s got his tour card over here now.”
Schwartzel seemed satisfied with second.
“It just shows me I can play against the best in the world,” he said. “All credit to Ernie. He played flawless golf. Both of us gave it our all. He just played a bit better.”
Els now has his sights firmly set on next month’s Masters. He has won three majors, but never at Augusta, where he has come close to claiming a green jacket more often than he cares to remember.
“Next week I’m going to work hard again,” he said.
“I’ve got to get these things I’m working on drilled a bit more and be really comfortable with it and get my ball flight drilled for Augusta. But you know, two years ago when I won [the Honda Classic] I got all carried away and thought I was going to win Augusta,” Els said.
There will be no bold predictions this time. Instead, Els will let his clubs do the talking.
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