Els eyeing Order of Merit win

Ernie Els is confident of becoming European number one for the first time after cruising to his sixth win of the year in the Omega European Masters.

Els carded a final-round 65 for a 17-under total of 267 at Crans-sur-Sierre to claim the €265,000 first prize and increase his lead over Darren Clarke at the top of the Order of Merit to €601,000.

The world number two finished six shots clear of New Zealand's Michael Campbell with third-round leader Eduardo Romero of Argentina a shot behind in third.

Els is now hot favourite to succeed fellow South African Retief Goosen as European number one but still intends to miss the lucrative season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama as it does not fit into his busy schedule.

"My basic stance is the same," added Els, who will only play two more counting events, the Dunhill Links Championship after a fortnight off and the American Express championship a week later.

"Darren wasn't in the race until he won a million dollars at the NEC Invitational, I've won four times but they together maybe just add up to a million.

"There is still a lot to play for and a lot can happen. I wish the World Matchplay would count toward the money list (he has won it four times on his doorstep at Wentworth), but if I play the way I should I should be fine."

Els' fourth win on the European Tour this season was not achieved without two major slices of good fortune however, and he was grateful to one spectator in particular.

A wayward drive on the 12th hole was heading into trouble when it struck the unlucky man on the head and bounced back into the fairway.

A huge bump was quickly visible on the man's forehead and Els winced visibly when he saw the damage he had caused. "I saw him on the course and said I'd see him afterwards and buy him a beer," said Els, who was presented with the champion's red jacket by model Cindy Crawford.

"I haven't seen him yet but if he e-mails me I'll definitely send him something because he really helped me as the ball was heading way left."