Els cashes in on van den Berg collapse

Ernie Els marked only his second event back after knee surgery with victory in the Dunhill Championship in his native South Africa after overnight leader Ulrich van den Berg fell apart down the home straight.

The world number five, who was out for more than four months after a water sport accident in July, began the day two off the lead but carded a four-under-par 68 to finish 14 under and win by three from compatriots Louis Oosthuizen and last year’s champion Churl Schwartzel.

Van den Berg, playing alongside Els, was three strokes ahead at the turn after four birdies in his opening eight holes were undone only by a bogey at the ninth.

However, he had a triple-bogey seven at the short par-four 11th after finding trouble off the tee, taking a penalty drop and then hitting his approach into a bunker before three putting.

That was followed by another dropped shot at the 192-yard next and Els seized his opportunity at Leopard Creek Country Club.

He birdied the 13th and 15th, both par fives, to go two ahead at 14 under and a van den Berg double-bogey – after going in water at the par-three 16th - virtually sealed the issue.

To compound matters van den Berg three-putted the 17th to put Els on easy street heading down the par-five last as he clinched his third victory in this tournament.

Van den Berg finished six shots back on eight under after a three-over round of 75 which included a back nine of 44.

Ireland's Gary Murphy finished on three under while Damien McGrane ended on -2.