DORAL, Florida – Ernie Els ended the longest drought of his career by winning the CA Championship at Doral on Sunday in a duel with South African protege Charl Schwartzel.
Els closed with a 6-under 66 for a four-shot victory that was far closer than the margin suggests.
He had a one-shot lead as he stood over a 25-foot par putt on the 14th hole and was relieved to see it fall on the final turn. Schwartzel, in his first time on a world stage, fell apart after that, going bunker-to-bunker on the 15th for a bogey and missing short putts on the next two holes. He shot a 70.
Els last won two years ago in the Honda Classic. He becomes only the fifth player with multiple wins in the World Golf Championships, joining Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson.
It was his 61st victory worldwide, and 17th on the PGA Tour, and moved Els to No. 8 in the world ranking. (AP)