Els wins Dubai Desert Classic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 6 (UPI) -- Ernie Els eagled the final hole Sunday and won the Dubai Desert Classic by a stroke.

Els, the world's third-ranked player, shot a 68 for 19-under-par 269.

The South African ranks behind only Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. Woods took over the world No. 1 spot Sunday by winning the Ford Championship in Miami.

Els also won the Dubai tournament in 1994 and 2002.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Stephen Dodd tied for second.

"For a long while, it seemed that it was not going to be my week and then the 18th changed everything," Els said. "I can't remember the last time I won a tournament with an eagle at the last. This is a big win for me."