Ernie Els wins again in Melbourne

Defending champion Ernie Els held on in a gripping finish to win the Heineken Classic by one stroke on Sunday and complete his third tournament victory from four starts this year and the fourth in his last five outings.

The South African world number two carded rounds of 70 72 66 and 65 for a four-round total of 15-under-par 273.

Overnight leader and six-times major winner Nick Faldo tied for second with Australia's Peter Lonard on 14-under-par 274.

Lonard, who had a 68, missed a three-yard putt for par on the par-four 18th hole which would have forced a playoff with Els. The rejuvenated Faldo, 45, seeking his first tournament win since 1997, carded a final round of 69.

The Heineken Classic at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club is co-sanctioned by the European and Australasian Tours.

Five players, Britons Stephen Gallacher, Gary Evans, David Lynn and Paul Casey, and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen, tied for fourth place, three shots behind Els on 12-under-par 276.

"I think what I said on Friday was hopefully I would get something going," Els told reporters. "That's what happened. I got something going. It just happened quite extraordinarily.

"Then I got a little bit fortunate with Peter bogeying 18. I did not think it was possible at one time and I played a very good weekend."

Last year's Heineken Classic win by five strokes was the South African's first tournament success for two years.

"It was very sweet last year. It gave me a lot of confidence," Els said.

"I have not come from behind for quite some time. I really stuck to my guns and it worked out today. Both (wins) are pretty sweet."

Els said he had gained momentum with a downhill putt for a birdie on the par-four 13th hole, followed by another birdie on the 14th, in a total of eight for the round plus a bogey on the par-four sixth.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed an amazing start to the year, winning his first two tournaments in the United States and finishing second last week in Singapore after blowing a one-stroke lead on the 72nd hole. Els also won his final event of 2002, the Sun City Challenge.

It was a disappointing end for world number 41 Lonard, who missed the fairway to the right on the 18th then went for broke with his approach and landed in a green-side bunker before failing to get up and down in two.

"I went at the flag. I suppose smart people will say I was stupid," said Lonard.

"I could have hit it to the middle of the green and two-putted and gone on the next (hole)."

The 35-year-old from Sydney has won the Australian Masters and Australian PGA titles in 2002-03 and was a contender for rookie of the year on the 2002 U.S. Tour.

Faldo described the day as part of a learning curve and said it was a nice feeling just to be a contender late in the final round.

"I made a couple of poor swings under pressure. That's what it's all about, to compete," Faldo told reporters.

"I sensed Ernie was the man. I hung in there and did the best I could."

Faldo said Els would be a formidable opponent this year for American world number one Tiger Woods, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

"I am sure this will be boosting his confidence. Tiger in theory will be rusty, or limping, and Ernie is going to be hot," Faldo said.

Els, the British Open champion and two time U.S. Open winner, said he was trying to focus on his own goals rather than a confrontation with Woods.

"It will come to a head sooner or later. You guys are probably going to write it up quite a bit now," he said. "I am going to stick with my guns. I am doing what I am doing. Hopefully with this form I will have a good chance against any field."

Faldo is also full of hope for the new year after overcoming some personal issues which he said had complicated his golf game.

Faldo married Valerie, his third wife, two years ago. Valerie is expecting his fourth child and the three-times British Open and U.S. Masters winner is happy and content.

"Ten years ago I did not have to deal with as many of the emotions and what have you," Faldo said.

"It was just playing golf. Now it's testing me, put it that way. I'm pleased that I am fathoming it all out again."

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