Bay Hill Invitational
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Orlando,
Florida
19th - 22nd March 1998

Par 72 Prize Money $2 million

Final Round Report

Final Round Scores
Third Round Report
Third Round Scores
Second Round Report
Second Round Scores
First Round Report
First Round Scores

Els cruises to win by four shots

Orlando, Florida, 22nd March 1998 - Ernie Els of South Africa started the day with a 65 to build a big lead and cruised to victory on the second 18 holes, capturing the rain-plagued $2 million Bay Hill Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

Heavy rain suspended play several times over the first two days of the tournament, forcing the participants to play the final two rounds today. It turned out well for Els, who finished with a 14-under-par 274 for a four-shot victory and the $360,000 first prize.

Els compiled eight birdies, including seven on the first 10 holes, to take a commanding six-stroke lead over Bob Estes, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods at 15-under-par 201 after the third round. The two-time U.S. Open champion was never threatened thereafter, carding a final-round 73 to outlast Estes and Jeff Maggert, who tied at 10-under 278.

Mark Calcavecchia and Germany's Bernhard Langer were fourth at 9-under 275, Stricker and Craig Parry came in at 276 and it was another stroke back to Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Jim Furyk.

The victory was the first for Els since winning his second straight Buick Classic in 1997, the week after capturing his second U.S. Open.

Woods shot a 3-over 75 -- his worst round of the year -- to drop into a tie for 13th at 4-under 280. It was the first finish out of the top 10 this season for Woods, who matched his previous high round earlier in the day, a 73.

The Bay Hill Club and Lodge course measures 7,196 yards.

First prize is $360,000.