Els hangs on for 2nd win in row

ORLANDO, Florida – Ernie Els survived a few nervous moments by making two clutch par putts to win the rain-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational in a Monday finish for his second PGA Tour victory in a row after a two-year drought.

Coming off a four-shot victory in the World Golf Championship at Doral two weeks ago, Els closed with a 1-under 71 at Bay Hill to win for the 18th time in his PGA Tour career and made it consecutive wins for the first time since 2003.

He was relieved upon holing an 8-foot par putt on the final hole, giving him a two-shot victory over Kevin Na and Edoardo Molinari of Italy.

This was Els’ second victory at Bay Hill, the other coming 11 years ago in a 36-hole Sunday because of rain.

Els, who finished at 11-under 277, became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 to win twice on the Florida Swing. The 40-year-old South African is to play the Houston Open before going to the Masters, where he will be among the top favorites.

“I think he’s going to be tough at Augusta,” Palmer said after greeting Els behind the 18th green.

The victory was worth $1.08 million and put Els atop the PGA Tour money list with more than $3 million. He moves to No. 7 in the world.

Retief Goosen (69) and Chris Couch (71) tied for fourth. Ben Curtis, who started the final round one shot out of the lead, closed with a 74 and finished alone in sixth.

Els had a five-shot lead Sunday afternoon and was cruising toward victory when he took double bogey from the water on No. 13 and bogey from the sand on the next hole. Then came the siren to stop play as thunderstorms approached, and rain drenched Bay Hill into the morning.

“The last 20 hours I couldn’t stop thinking about trying to finish this thing,” Els said. (AP)