Els holds off Scott to claim title again

South Africa's Ernie Els blew an eight-shot lead but clawed back to win the Heineken Classic by one stroke after a gripping head-to-head battle with Adam Scott at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Sunday.

World number three Els -- who started the day with a seemingly insurmountable eight-shot lead -- carded a two-over-par 74 for a total of 268, 20 under par.

Australia's Scott edged to within one stroke when he made a 35-foot putt for birdie on the par-four 17th after Els narrowly missed a 50-foot birdie putt.

Both players then missed difficult birdie putts on the final hole.

Scott, who shot 34 on the front nine to draw level with Els who had a six-over-par 42, closed with a 33 on the inward nine in his 67 to finish on 19-under-par 269.

Australia's Peter Fowler shot a final round of 70 to finish third on 15-under-par 273.

Els, 34, became the first player to win the US$1.54 million event for three successive years.

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