MELBOURNE, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- South African Ernie Els cruised to a five-stroke win Sunday in the European PGA Tour's Heineken Classic.
Four ahead at the start of the final round, Els twice saw that lead trimmed to two - first by Greg Norman and then by Swindon's David Howell.
But birdies at the seventh and ninth and an eagle at the long 10th - an exact repeat of the third round - effectively ended the race for the $129,459 first prize.
Having opened with a 64 to lead by two, Els stretched that by a shot each day with three successive 69s to close at 17-under-par 271.
Howell shared second with Australians Peter Fowler and Peter O'Malley, while New Zealander Michael Campbell, winner the last two years, was fifth and Nick Faldo shared sixth with Norman and another home player, Stephen Leaney.
It was the second successive week that an Australian tournament has been dominated by a South African. Last week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth was won by Retief Goosen by eight shots.
