Eighth time lucky for Els

Ernie Els strolled to a five-shot victory over second-placed Colin Montgomerie in the Million Dollar challenge in South Africa to take the biggest pay-check of his career yesterday.

The "Big Easy" fired a faultless 66 to card a tournament record 25-under par, holding off the challenge of Montgomerie, who trailed Els by six shots overnight.

It was Els's first Million Dollar tournament win, at his eighth attempt. Montgomerie, who wins $250,000 for second place in the 12-man invitational field, beat him in a play off here in 1996.

Montgomerie carded a 65 to finish 20-under for the tournament. The European order of merit winner now is taking a break until next February.

Darren Clarke finished third on 18-under par after a round of 65 to follow Saturday's course-record equalling 64.

Els said he knew he had won the elusive prize after his tee shot on the 18th. "I had goose pimples all over me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Colin eventually gave up as we walked up the 18th fairway.

"It's a wonderful feeling and I feel like I've got a big gorilla off my back," said Els, who admitted to feeling the pressure of the crowd's expectations each time he came here.

"The crowd was unbelievable. I could sense they wanted the record as I made the turn. They gave me a boost on every hole." Els could even afford two dropped shots on Saturday's third round and still shoot a course record-equalling 64.

"I knew I had to play the same type of golf as I did over the first three days. I gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies, and most of those I made. I just felt it wasn't going to get away from me. When you haven't won in 10 months now, strange things go through your brain, believe me."

Clarke, who went through the first nine holes in 31 shots, hit a total of eight birdies before dropping a shot on the par-three 16th when he was within a stroke of Montgomerie.

"Unfortunately, I made a bogey on the 16th and that was the end of that. I played really well, but unfortunately, with the way Ernie was playing, it wasn't to be," he said.

Lee Westwood shot six birdies for a 66 and finished fourth on 11-under.