Els claims record-equalling title
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Ernie Els clutches the new World Match Play trophy.
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WENTWORTH, England -- South African Ernie Els won a record-tying fifth World Match Play title with a 4 and 3 win over Denmark's Thomas Bjorn on Sunday.
The victory was worth one million pounds ($1.67 million) to the 34-year-old - the biggest prize in European golf - and he was never headed after taking the lead on the third hole of the 36-hole final.
A stunning hole-in-one on the 14th hole of the afternoon round by Bjorn only delayed the inevitable as Els rolled home a 30-footer at the next.
World number two Els had stretched his lead to four up after only nine holes and although Bjorn staged a minor fightback in the homeward nine before lunch Els reached the half-way stage three up.
Bjorn looked uncomfortable with his swing as he began spraying the ball off the tee as was never able to put the South African under any real pressure.
By the time the players reached the 28th hole Els, who now joins Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player as the only five time winner of the Match Play championship, was six up and it was only a question of when, not if, he would put the Dane out of his misery.
A battling Bjorn delayed the inevitable when he eagled the par-five 12th and then scored a stunning hole-in-one at the par-three 179 yard 14th but Els sealed victory on the 15th.
Bjorn also had the consolation of winning a 30,000 pounds Toyota for his ace.
Sunday's win completes a perfect week for Els.
On Friday, he celebrated his birthday before being confirmed winner of the European Order of Merit on Saturday when Darren Clarke, the only player who could overtake him, announced he would not play next week in Madrid.
The Ulsterman had to win both Madrid and the Volvo Masters at Valderrama to top Els.
