Stunning comeback gives Els back-to-back title triumphs
Six shots behind with 15 holes remaining at the Qatar Masters in windy Doha, Els produced the lowest round of the tournament - a sparkling seven-under-par 65 - to pip Sweden’s Henrik Stenson by one.
The stunning seven-birdie comeback made the South African, who had been down in 81st place after an opening 73, the first player to win back-to-back titles on the European tour since Vijay Singh in 2001.
In Dubai, Els rolled in an 18-foot eagle putt on the final green to snatch victory. This time a two-putt birdie on the last won him the trophy, though there was a long wait before he could celebrate. Stenson and Australian Richard Green would have forced a play-off with an eagle on the 581-yard 18th. But doing an “Ernie” proved beyond them. Green hit a bad drive and took six; then Stenson failed to hole his chip from the back edge. “This is a great win,” said Els, after achieving the target he set himself when he teed off in joint 10th spot. “Normally when you aim at a low score you don’t do it. But here I did - and with two wins under my belt, I can’t wait to get to America.”
Els flies to Florida this morning for the Bay Hill Invitational, Players’ Championship and then the big one - the Masters at Augusta, of course.
As Els made his late charge for the line with birdies at the 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th the two front-runners both buckled.
Els’ victory returns him to the top of the Order of Merit he has won for the last two seasons. But what matters is that his confidence is sky-high for the final countdown to the first major of the year. Shaking his head in amazement was Belgian sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout, with whom Els was furious on Thursday. The former Open and US Open champion said that before he teed off he was given “12 minutes of the most ridiculous stuff I’ve ever thought of” - but while a little tension remains between the two of them, Vanstiphout was lost in admiration.
“The only thing I know now is that I know nothing,” he said. “That was just a fantastic win - and what a boon for him going to the States.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
