GEORGE, South Africa, 19 December 2005 — Retief Goosen edged out fellow South African Ernie Els by a stroke in a thrilling last day battle to win the South African Airways Open over The Links at Fancourt here yesterday.

World No 4 Goosen birdied the final two holes, chipping in from over the back of the green at the par-three 17th for a two on this treacherous, par-73 layout on his way to a 70 and a 72-hole aggregate of 282.

World No 5 Els had a chance to eagle the par-five 18th and draw level with the Goose after two brilliant shots to within five feet of the cup.

But his putt for a three just lipped the cup and stayed out and he had to settle for second place on 283 following a five-under-par 68.

It was a good tournament for French golfers with Gregory Bordy closing with a three-under-par 70 to share third place on 290 with South Africa’s Darren Fichardt.

And Bordy’s compatriot Gregory Havret, in a hot finish, eagled the 13th hole before picking up birdies at the 16th and 18th holes on his way to a 72 to tie for fifth on 292 with South Africa’s Keith Horne and Swede Mattias Eliasson.

In a thrilling head to head between the two giants of South African golf Goosen started the final round three clear of his rival. But Els had hauled him in by the par-three eighth hole, where he (Els) rolled in a short putt for a two to move to three under for the round.

So all of a sudden it was all square. Then Goosen made a miraculous birdie at the par-five ninth to move one ahead again, and when Els double-bogeyed the par-four 12th he had once more quickly fallen three behind.

But the two players had promised a battle royal and that’s how it turned out because the Big Easy then reeled off three straight birdies and suddenly they were dead even again.

Then came the shot of the tournament after Goosen over-cooked his tee-shot at the par-three 17th. His ball had rolled down a steep slope into a poor lie about 15 meters from the cup and he had very little green to work with on a putting surface that was lightning fast.

To get the ball to stop near the hole was never going to be easy. But the 36-year-old two-time US Open champion, with the touch of a magician, went one better by holing for a two.

Els was now one behind Goosen and, to his credit, his booming drive at the last was followed by a mid-iron to just five feet and the crowd went wild, anticipating an eagle three and a playoff.

But all week Els’s putter was not as hot as it can be and this all-important putt stayed out, denying him an impressive double following his victory in last week’s Dunhill championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa.

“My last South African Open was 10 years ago so it’s been a long wait for number two but this was extra special because you don’t easily beat Ernie Els,” said Goosen.

“He’s just come back from injury but he played great. I got a little lucky at 17 with that chip but that’s golf for you. I’ve had a great year, winning in Asia (the China Masters), Europe (German Masters), the United States (The International) and now here in South Africa.

“And it’s been a year in which I haven’t struck the ball as well as I know I can. Maybe next year will be even better and I can have a crack at chasing down Tiger.”