Quitting Tiger hunt helped put Els back on course

WORLD number three Ernie Els admitted his decision to stop chasing world number one Tiger Woods had played a major part in his success in 2002.

Els, yesterday, swept to his third Nedbank Challenge title in four years with a brilliant course record 63 in the final round to take the US $2million first prize at the Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa.

He held off the challenge from Scot Colin Montgomerie with ease finishing eight shots clear in front of a passionate home crowd who were willing him on to win.

It was a good end to 2002 for the South African, who won just one tournament the South African Players Championship in 2001.

''I really enjoyed the way I played this year, I had more patience this year than other years. I made peace with the fact that Tiger is out there and I don't have to chase him around anymore, I just have to play my own game,'' Els said.

''In times things will change. I just played my game this year. I just stuck with my guns and didn't care too much about the other guys, not like 2001.''

Els broke the course record in a flawless round of nine birdies to record his 28th consecutive sub-par round in the 11 years he has taken part in this tournament.

Colin Montgomerie shot a 67 yesterday including a superb chip for an eagle at the 10th but could do nothing to counter Els' amazing performance.

''Ernie was unbelievable,'' he said. ''I can't do anything about a round like that. The holes were as big as buckets for him on the day.''

Darren Clarke shot 75 to finish three under.

Padraig Harrington had a better back nine, but his nightmare 44 on the front nine ensured he finished on 77 for the day and ended in second last place.

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson, six times a runner-up on the European Tour, finally hit the jackpot as a final round of 64 gave him a two-shot win at the Omega Hong Kong Open.

The 28-year-old secured the $113,050 first prize at Fanling with a 16-under-par total of 260, two clear of compatriot Henrik Nystrom and Argentinian Jorge Berendt.

More importantly for Jacobson, who finished 30th on last season's Volvo Order of Merit, his win ensured a playing exemption that will take him up to the end of the 2005 season.

Beginning the day a shot behind overnight leaders, Berendt Nystrom and Stephen Dodd, Jacobson fired four birdies in an outward half of 30.

He dropped a shot at the 11th but bounced back with birdies at the long 12th and the 14th and parred in from there, raising his fist to the skies as he sank a 10-footer for par on the last to virtually assure victory.

Welshman Dodd, who had also been eyeing his maiden tour title, had been jockeying for the lead with Jacobson for much of the day but effectively saw his chance slip away with a missed 18-inch putt on the 15th.

The blunder proved expensive, as he finished back in joint fourth on 13-under 263 alongside Scotland's Gary Orr and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.

For the flamboyant Jacobson, the relief that comes with every professional's first title especially after having been so close several times before was evident.

''Of course I'm delighted it's just taken a bit longer than I was hoping for!'' he said.

''I've been close so many times before that it's a big relief. If you keep working hard then you give yourself enough chances and sooner or later you're going to win."

Six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who had gone into the final day just four behind the lead as he chased his first title for five years, made a valiant late bid for the top.

Reaching the turn in 32 after picking up shots at the fifth and ninth, the 45-year-old moved to 12 under with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th, but his charge came just too late and after finding water at the last a double-bogey six dropped him back into joint 11th.

But Faldo was more than satisfied with his final-day effort and the week in general at the course where he won the 1990 Johnnie Walker Classic.

He said: ''I played really well and only missed one green and one fairway. I had a really bad swing at the last and put it in the water, but apart from that I hit a lot of good shots. I've had a really good week.

''I was pleased with my swing today, I've been trying a few different things and generally everything has been better in my game.''