THE WORLD number three, South Africa's Ernie Els, won the Johnnie Walker Super Tour title in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday after Welshman Ian Woosnam missed a seven-foot putt at the first play-off hole.
Els and Woosnam fought a low-scoring duel but both came unstuck in the closing stretch at the Thana City course to take the country-hopping tournament into an extra hole.
Former US Masters champion Woosnam bogeyed the final hole yet still set a course record of 63 for a four-round total of 14-under-par 274. Els had a double bogey seven on the par-five 16th with the title seemingly in his grasp.
With his girlfriend Liezl Wehmeyer acting as caddie after his local caddie got sick, Els drove into a bunker and then found the water's edge with his second shot to lose two strokes and end level with Woosnam.
He parred the final two holes for a 65 and two-putted for victory at the first play-off hole.
"It is a really brilliant feeling to have won," said 27-year-old Els. "It has been a long week flying about Asia, but also a fun week. The scores today were just great - it is tough to get to a golf course and play it blind but everybody did well.
I thought I played really well today - normally a 65 in the final round when you are holding a two-shot lead would be enough but Woosie is a class player and it went to a play-off."
Woosnam, second on the European circuit, claimed hot weather took its toll at the play-off hole.
"It has been hard work this weeks and I was really tired after nine holes today but playing well kept me going. Being competitive and trying to catch up with Ernie spurred me on.
Woosnam beat the old course record of 64, jointly held by Brandt Jobe, of the US, and Mexico's Carlos Espinosa.
Colin Montgomerie shot a last-round 69 to finish six off the pace in the eight-player field.
Jay Sigel pocketed the senior season's biggest cheque when he posted an even-par 72 yesterday to win the Senior Tour Championship by two-strokes at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Sigel, who held a three-shot lead entering the final round, finished at nine-under-par 279 to claim the $280,000 first prize. Kermit Zarley shot 69 for second place at 281.
