Els clinches title by four shots

South African Ernie Els boosted his confidence ahead of the U.S. Open in two weeks' time by romping to a four-shot victory at the $5.25 million Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village on Sunday.

The world number three, ahead by two strokes after the third round, briefly lost the lead after a bogey at the fourth. But he was four-under-par over the next six holes and eventually finished with a six-under 66 for an 18-under tally of 270.

Fred Couples, the 1998 champion here, was in second place after hitting a 68 for 274. World number one Tiger Woods carded his third consecutive round in the 60s, a three-under 69 giving him third place on 276.

Britain's Justin Rose was fourth on 277, one stroke ahead of South Korean KJ Choi. Defending champion Kenny Perry and Stephen Ames of Trinidad and Tobago finished joint sixth on 279.

Tournament host Jack Nicklaus, 64, returned a closing 71 to finish in a tie for 63rd place on 295, seven over.

Els's goal at the start of the week was to get his game in shape for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

Never flinching as Woods and Couples made runs at him, the "Big Easy" put together a near-flawless performance on Sunday when the course was perfect for scoring.

"If you can call it an easy 66 yesterday, today was a working man's round of golf," Els told reporters.

"But as Jack (Nicklaus) says, I made almost every putt that I had to make. Sometimes you do it and other times you don't."

After Els bogeyed the fourth, Couples chipped in from 25 feet to briefly take the lead. But the South African hit back immediately with a birdie at the fifth.

"I had to change my game plan a little bit and try and compose myself a little bit because I did not quite come out of the gates the way I wanted to," Els said.

"But I responded nicely. I think after the birdie on five, it kind of settled me down a little bit.

"I got back to 12-under, level with Tiger at that stage and Freddie, and I think Justin Rose. I was watching the leaderboard all day just to see what was happening."

Woods was 12-under through seven before parring each of the last 11 holes.

The world number one drove the ball as well as he has done all year for the first 10 holes but then missed three fairways in a row in the middle of the back nine.

"I'm very excited," Woods said of his Memorial performance. "I hit the ball very well this week.

"I putted all right, didn't make everything, but I've really hit the ball well this week, so it was pretty exciting."

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