Els ends two-year drought at WGC-CA Championship

15 Mar 2010 - 01:10:17

Ernie Els bounced back into the big time when he ended two years without a win at the WGC-CA Championship in Miami.

The 40-year-old captured the second of this season's world championships - and his 63rd professional title - by a commanding four-shot margin after what developed into a straight head-to-head with his fellow South African Charl Schwartzel.

Three strokes further back in joint third were German Martin Kaymer, American Matt Kuchar and Ireland's Padraig Harrington, whose closing 72 was never going to give him a chance on a day of low scoring.

With the win Els returns to the world's top 10, a place where he has spent more weeks - 759 now - than any other player since the rankings started in 1986.

"I've had a tough run and I really wanted to play well," he said after a 66 gave him an 18 under par total on the same Doral course where he held off Tiger Woods to win the 2002 Genuity Championship.

"I just wanted to prove it myself for once. I had to really trust the changes I've just made. The wind was blowing and you had to hit solid shots. Charl came at me all day and I have to take a lot of positives out of this."

It was his second victory in the event. Under former sponsor American Express he lifted the title at Mount Juliet in Ireland in 2004.

Seven times over the weekend Schwartzel, twice a winner on his home country already this year, drew level with the man he has looked up to since he was a youngster. The 25-year-old rising star could never get his nose in front, however, and the crucial moments came on the 14th and 15th.

First Els saved par from 24 feet to stay one in front and then, when both were bunkered at the short next, Schwartzel arrived to find his ball plugged. He went from there into the same back bunker Els had found and although both got up and down from there the gap was two.

Schwartzel almost hit the hole with his approach to the 16th, but left an 11-foot birdie attempt short and when he bogeyed again on the next after Els had birdied from five feet there was only one place the £925,000 first prize was going.