Golf: Els piles on more of his winning magic

MELBOURNE - South African Ernie Els' dream of running down Tiger Woods in the world golf rankings edged closer to reality yesterday as he snared his second straight Heineken Classic.

Els continued his dramatic start to 2003, winning his third tournament in a month following a final-hole lapse from Australian Peter Lonard at Royal Melbourne.

The world No 2 overtook British veteran Nick Faldo with a last-day, seven-under par 65 but was handed the win when Lonard, saving his worst for last, dumped his approach shot on the final hole into a bunker and bogeyed.

The pair had been headed for a playoff before Lonard, unashamedly aiming for an aggressive birdie and victory, lapsed.

Els fired a 15-under-par total of 273 with rounds of 70, 72, 66, 65 to edge out Lonard and Faldo.

The 33-year-old has now won five of his past seven tournaments. His winning streak started at the World Match Play Championship last October and he is eagerly anticipating his first showdown with Woods.

"It will come to a head sooner or later," Els said.

"But I'm going to stick with my guns, just doing what I'm doing ... working on a certain goal and we're heading towards it."

Winning this event last year had given him a lot of confidence, but yesterday's victory was just as good because he came from behind.



Els and his family planned to spend a week in Bali after his hectic past month, which has included victories in the first two US PGA Tour events in Hawaii and a second placing in last week's Singapore Open.

But after the first two rounds in Melbourne this week, Els was convinced his run had come to an abrupt end. "I was out of sorts with my long game and my rhythm was all over the place.

"It wasn't a great feeling, so to get it all back yesterday gave me a sense of excitement, because I felt I had a chance.

"What I said on Friday was, hopefully, I'll get something going - and I think that's what happened.

"I found my swing ... It just happens quite extraordinarily. Today I really got things going on the back nine [with three birdies]."

But Els admitted luck - or in Lonard's case, bad luck - had played a part in extending his impressive run.

"I just kept it together, made some good saves and kind of finished the job better than yesterday," he said.

"Then I got a little bit fortunate with Peter bogeying 18. That flag position there is just unbelievably tough. I just couldn't believe you could get a flag in there."

Lonard said he had "lost trying to win" and, given the chance, would do the same again.

The best of the New Zealand contingent was David Smail. He finished with a 72 yesterday for a four-round total of an eight-under 280, and played his round with Els for company.

Greg Turner, Richard Lee and Stephen Scahill all finished on 281, locked in 20th place.

Turner shot 70 yesterday, Lee 71 and Scahill 72.

Young rookie professional Eddie Lee carded a closing 69 to finish at six under in a tie for 25th. Michael Long shot 69 to end the event at four under the card.


- AGENCIES