South African Ernie Els ended a ten month win drought when he eased through to win the Alfred Dunhill SA PGA Championship at Houghton Golf Club.

Starting the day two strokes ahead of compatriot Richard Kaplan, Els turned in a four-under-par 68 for a 72-hole total of 15-under-par 273, to beat Kaplan by four shots and take home the first prize of 83564 Euros.

England's David Webster, South African David Frost, India's Jeev Singh and Australian Stephen Leaney all tied for third at eight-under-par 280.

After the cut and thrust between Els and Kaplan during Saturday's third round, the final round was a procession as Els carded three birdies over the first nine and then cruised home with just one birdie in another blemish-free round.

During the entire tournament Els, the 1992 and 1995 SA PGA champion, dropped just four shots -- a double bogey during Thursday's opening round and then two single drops during Saturday's third round. It was the ideal wedding present for the 29-year-old who married long-time girlfriend Liezl on New Year's Eve, and gave him his first individual win since his victory at the Bay Hill Invitational in March.

"It's nice to get a win under the belt especially when you've just put a ring on your finger," Els said afterwards.

Despite the victory, Els admitted that he would be working hard to improve his game on the greens. "If there was a disappointment this week, it was my putting," Els said. "I probably hit the ball today better than I have for a long time, but the putting was not good."

Although refusing to be over confident, Els said he believed that the world number one ranking, a position he held for two months in 1998, was within reach especially as the back problem that plagued him in 1998 looks fully recovered.

"I know I've got the talent to do that," Els said. "It was nice to start afresh here, without the back problem, and I played pretty solid."

Soon after his victory, Els received a call from South African President Nelson Mandela, who congratulated him on his win and his new marriage before wishing him well for the year. "I haven't spoken to him for about two years now, and its something that is always nice," Els said. "He really supports South Africa's sports people."

Kaplan never looked like challenging as he made the turn at one-under 35 with two birdies and two drops and then concentrated on making sure of his pars over the second half as Webster and co. threatened to snatch his share of the kitty.

"I wasn't intimidated today but I just made silly, stupid mistakes," the 36-year-old Kaplan said. "We missed a lot of putts. We read them correctly but I just couldn't get them on line." Kaplan paid tribute to Els and described playing with his countryman as "fantastic."

"To watch the ease and grace when he hits the ball is a privilege. He makes it look so easy and it's great to see a player of his class in action close up."