DOHA, 14 March 2005 — World No.3 Ernie Els fired a seven-under 65 to storm to a one-shot win over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson at the Qatar Masters yesterday.
It gave the South African, who carded eight birdies and one bogey, a 12-under aggregate 276 and a second victory in seven days after his third Dubai Desert Classic success last week.
“I wanted to give myself a low score and as it turned out, I shot low which you don’t normally do. I got lucky and got a win,” Els told reporters.
“I must say things began to turn in my favor in the middle of the front nine when I made three birdies on the bounce ... the wind was really playing it up at that time.”
Els, who languished in joint 81st place after an opening 73, began his final round five shots down on overnight leader Stenson.
The former world number one started with a flourish, almost chipping in for an eagle at the first. After dropping a shot on the short third Els went on a birdie spree for a front-nine 33 before adding four more birdies on his return.Swede Stenson began well with two birdies in the opening three holes, but two bogeys and then a double-bogey at the 14th dropped him down the leaderboard before he rallied with three birdies to finish second on 11-under.
Ogilvy Fires 64 to Grab Share of Lead
In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who won his first US PGA title just two weeks ago, fired an eight-under par 64 here Saturday to grab a share of the lead after three rounds at the Honda Classic.
Ogilvy began the day sharing 19th place but birdied three of the first four holes at the $5.5 million event. The 27-year-old from Adelaide birdied the sixth hole and took his lone bogey on the eighth, but bounced back with birdies on three of the next four holes.
