HONOLULU, Hawaii - South Africa’s Ernie Els defended his Hawaiian Open title on Sunday defeating American Harrison Frazer on the third playoff hole.

“I had to go out and win the tournament instead of somebody giving it to me,” said Els. “Any win nowadays, you take it and cherish it. I’m going to enjoy this one and I’ve got next week to think about some other goals.”

Frazar almost won in regulation with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th, but Els sank a clutch 10-footer to force extra holes and then hit a 22-foot birdie putt to seal the win.

Els shot a final round 65 and Frazar a 66 to tie at 18-under 262, three shots ahead of Davis Love. “I got a solid start and then made some birdies around the turn,” said Els. “I played really well on the back nine.

“Harrison really hung in there, played great. What a day. He had a tough couple of holes on 7 and 8, but he hung in there and came back strong. All week, I was quite patient. I wasn’t like that last week.”

Els became the first player to win the event two years in a row since Corey Pavin in 1986-87, picking up $864,000 for his 13th victory on the PGA Tour.

Els had a lukewarm start to the year with a mediocre performance at last week’s Mercedes Championship, but he showed his enormous talent by quickly playing his way into top form. He made only one bogey in the final round, and just three for the week.

Both players parred the first two extra holes, before Els won at the par-three 11th to improve his PGA Tour playoff record to 4-2.

“I hit (winning putt) right edge and it went right in the middle. So it was just a bad read and a bad putt on the second playoff and a perfect one next time.”

This is the third year in a row Els has won early on the Tour. He said next year he plans to play more events on the western seaboard of the US.

“When I play, I’ve got to play well because I don’t play as many tournaments as these other guys,” he said.

“So, you know what I’ve got a little more pressure on me when I do play. Who knows, I might be back in late February, early March, you know. That’s just my schedule.”

“Next year, I’ll play a lot more on the west coast and maybe I won’t have as much pressure on myself.”

On the third hole a spectator noticed Els was wearing the same shirt that he won with last year. Els said it wasn’t by design.

“It was coincidence. I never thought of it. Maybe that’s a good omen. Maybe I’ll wear it next year.”

Frazar said even though he didn’t get his first win on the PGA Tour, he would take something positive from this experience.

“I don’t feel like I lost today,” Frazar said. “I played well. When the heat was on there in the middle of the round, I kind of sucked it up and was able to get myself back in there, which, you know, in the past I haven’t been able to do that.

“So, you know I think I found something inside of me that’s going to help me further on down the road.”