Ernie Els coasts to four shot victory

Ernie Els cruised to a comfortable victory by four strokes at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

The South African, who tasted success last week in America, finished on 16-under-par, in front of the Swede Niclas Fasth, with Carl Pettersson third.

The Briton Brian Davis finished fourth, after a final round of 67.

Els had a topsy-turvy start to his final round, bogeying the first and fourth holes but firing two birdies in between.

An eagle at the long third hole and a birdie at the seventh brought Fasth level, but the Swede wasted his good work with dreadful driving, and an eventual triple-bogey seven on the eighth.

Further birdies for Els at the ninth and long tenth holes strengthened his grip on the tournament.

Fasth closed to within two again at the 13th, but a bogey on the 16th as Els birdied put paid to his challenge.

Els sealed a 69, his fourth round under 70, and a deserved triumph.

Pettersson added a 69 to Saturday's superb effort of 65 for third place on 11-under-par, with Davis fourth on nine-under-par.

Of some of the bigger names in the field Darren Clarke finished on six-under-par after a 69, while European Ryder Cup captain ended his tournament on five-under-par.

Nick Faldo was satisfied with a final finish of one-under-par, while Ian Woosnam settled for level par after his four rounds.

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