Ernie Els takes home South Africa Open Championship
December 20th 2010 20:59
Ernie Els held off the challenge of Retief Goosen to capture the South African Open Championship for the fifth time in his career on a fascinating final day in Durban.
In the 100th staging of the event, it was fitting that Els, who shot a final round six under par 66, edged out fellow former champion Goosen by a shot, as arguably the two greatest South African golfers of the modern era went toe-to-toe.
Two rounds were played at the Durban Country Club after rain earlier in the week had washed out almost the entire first day, while further showers in the early hours of this morning delayed play and also made the par three fourth green unplayable.
It meant that instead of 36 holes, only 34 were played, with all players given a nominal par to avoid confusion.
And three-time Major winner Els, who fired a 67 earlier in the day, followed it up with another excellent display as he carded five birdies, an eagle and a bogey to end on 25 under overall.
He by no means cruised to victory, though, as Goosen rallied late on with four birdies in his last five holes.
But the charge proved too late for the championship winner from 1995 and 2005, and despite emulating Els' 66, he fell just short on 24 under overall.
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