Els wins Honda; first PGA title since '04

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 2 (UPI) -- South African Ernie Els shot a 3-under-par 67 Sunday to win the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., by one stroke over Luke Donald.

The victory was the 16th on the PGA Tour for Els, but his first since 2004. Els finished at 6-under-par 274.

Donald, who had shared the third-round lead, shot a 71 in the final round and just missed a birdie chip that would have forced a playoff with Els.

"I was actually pleased when I saw some breeze this morning when I got to the range," Els said. "I really played well today."

Els won $900,000.

Nathan Green closed with a 67 and placed third, another shot back.

Mark Calcavecchia and Matt Jones, who had been tied with Donald after three rounds, each carded a 73 and shared fourth-place with Robert Allenby (70), three strokes behind the leader.