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Els finally ends drought

Els ends two-year drought

03/14/2010 11:55:14 PM

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.

Australian Alistair Presnell scorched home with the best round of the day - an eight under par 64 - to soar up to a tie for sixth.

Presnell was one over through four holes but carded nine birdies from then on to finish on 10 under overall.

Robert Allenby carded a disappointing 73 to fall out of contention. He finished in a tie for 11th at nine under, alongside compatriot John Senden, who shot a 69.

Geoff Ogilvy also shot a 69 to move up to a tie for 45th, while Adam Scott (T50) and Marc Leishman (T63) finished well down the leaderboard.

Michael Sim capped off a disappointing tournament with a 74 to finish in last place.

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 literally 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 title was going.

Meanwhile, the Puerto Rico Open will continue into Monday and possibly beyond after another day of bad weather in Rio Grande.

Everyone was able to make it to the end of the second round, but the third did not get under way before play was suspended due to darkness with organisers still trying to make up for time lost to heavy rain.

Chad Collins

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
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