World number three Ernie Els admitted his decision to stop chasing world number one Tiger Woods had played a major part in his success in 2002.

Els swept to his third Nedbank Challenge title in four years with a brilliant course record 63 in yesterday's final round to take the US $2 million first prize at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa.

The "Big Easy", this year's British Open champion, finished with a 21-under-par aggregate of 267. He also joined Nick Price of Zimbabwe and another South African, David Frost, as the only players to have won the lucrative invitational event three times, after wins in 1999 and 2000.

He held off a strong challenge from second-placed Colin Montgomerie with such ease he finished eight shots clear in front of a passionate home crowd. It was a good end to 2002 for the man who won just one tournament - the South African Players Championship - in 2001.

"I really enjoyed the way I played this year, I had more patience this year than other years. I made peace with the fact Tiger is out there and I don't have to chase him around anymore, I just have to play my own game," Els said.

"In times things will change. I just played my game this year. I just stuck with my guns and didn't care too much about the other guys, not like 2001."

Els broke the course record in a flawless round of nine birdies to record his 28th consecutive sub-par round in the 11 years he has taken part in this tournament. Els's round, in searing heat, included a putt from off the green at 17 for a birdie three and a chip-in birdie three at the 18th.

He was out in 33 and home in just 30 strokes,

Montgomerie shot a 67 yesterday - including a superb chip for an eagle at the 10th - but could do nothing to counter Els' amazing performance.

"Ernie was unbelievable," he said. "I can't do anything about a round like that. The holes were as big as buckets for him on the day."

"For myself, to start the tournament with a quadruple-bogey eight and end up finishing second was very satisfying."

It was a less satisfactory day for Ireland's representatives, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington. Clarke shot 75 to finish three under. Harrington had a better back nine, but his nightmare 44 on the front nine ensured he finished on 77 for the day and ended in second last place, ahead of New Zealander Michael Campbell on even par.

American Chris DiMarco was third on 278 following a 70 and South Africa's Retief Goosen, who holed a 186-metre shot from the fairway for a birdie three at the last, and American Jim Furyk were joint fourth on 281.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia was next best, after shooting 70 yesterday, to finish on 283. Price finished a shot further back on 284.

But the day belonged to Els, who was naturally delighted with his victory, and its emphatic nature.

"I was a bit tense on the front nine but didn't make any big mistakes. On the back nine both Colin and I played really well. I think we had 11 birdies between us," said an elated Els.

"I don't think I've ever shot 63 in a final round before as tournament leader when the pressure is on. Except for a major, I can't think of anything better than winning in front of my home crowd."

He gave credit to Montgomerie "who hung in there after making an eight on the very first hole of the tournament".

The win put the cap on what has probably been the best season in Els's 13 years as a professional.

In the course of 2002 he has won in Australia (the Heineken Classic), America (the Genuity Championship), the Middle East (the Dubai Desert Classic), Europe (British Open at Muirfield, Scotland) and the World Matchplay at Wentworth, and now Africa.

Els has enjoyed a fantastic record in the Sun City Challenge, especially in the last four years.

Victory in 1999 with a record 25-under-par aggregate of 268 was followed by a second straight win in 2000 when he defeated Lee Westwood in a play-off after the players had tied on 268.

Last year Els and Garcia both scored 268, with the young Spaniard defeating the big South African with a chip-in birdie at the first extra hole.

Since his debut in the tournament in 1992, Els has earned $6.5 million on the Sun City course.

Leading fourth and final round scores

267 (-21) Ernie Els (Rsa) 70,65,69,63.

275 (-13) Colin Montgomerie (Scot) 74,69,65,67.

278 (-10) Chris Di Marco (USA) 68,68,72,70.

281 (-7) Jim Furyk (USA) 69,71,72,69. Retief Goosen (Rsa) 68,72,70,71.

283 (-5) Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70,73,70,70.

284 (-4) Nick Price (Zim) 71,70,73,70.

285 (-3) Robert Allenby (Aus) 70,71,74,70, Bob Estes (USA) 73,69,72,71, Darren Clarke (NIr)72,67,71,75.

288 (even par) Padraig Harrington (Ire) 72,70,69,77.

289 (+1) Michael Campbell (NZ) 71,71,69,78.

European PGA Tour

(Britain unless stated):

1, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) €247,967

2, Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) €116,296

3, Maarten Lafeber (Netherlands) €84,521

4, Henrik Nystrom (Sweden) €83,213

5, Trevor Immelman (South Africa) €76,870

6, Jorge Berendt (Argentina) €60,822

7, Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) €55,194

8, Soren Hansen (Denmark) €40,472

9, Tony Johnstone (Zimbabwe) €39,927

10, Sxren Kjeldsen (Denmark) €39,492

11, Ian Woosnam €36,228

12, Stephen Dodd €32,499

13, Gary Orr €29,226

14, Dean Robertson €26,546

15, Arjun Atwal (India) €26,483

16, Barry Lane €23,304

17, James Kingston (South Africa) €20,435

18, Jean-Francois Lucquin (France) €19,801

19, Marc Farry (France) €19,048

20, Jamie Spence €19,011