Els was an alternate this year, filling in for Masters champion Phil Mickelson. It was his second victory in the 36-hole tournament for the four major champions, his other win coming in 1997 at Poipu Bay in Hawaii.

Toms, a former PGA champion who replaced British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, had a three-shot lead at one point Wednesday until he faltered to a 71.

US Open champion Graeme McDowell shot a 73 and PGA champion Martin Kaymer had a 71. They finished eight shots out of the lead. Els picked up $600,000 for the victory.
 
Kim misses out on European Tour card

In Castellon, Spain,  American Anthony Kim has had his application to play on the European Tour in 2011 turned down.

The 25-year-old Kim did not compete in the required 12 tournaments this year, but had hoped to obtain medical exemption after missing three months of the season with a thumb injury.

However, tournament committee chairman Thomas Bjorn said on Wednesday that Kim’s failure to play any events on the European Tour since returning to action in August counted against him.

“We accept that he has been injured,” Bjorn said. “But he started playing again in August and has made no effort to complete his 12 tournaments. And there have been plenty of events here since the end of the FedEx Cup in America which he could have entered.”

Kim underwent surgery on ligaments in his left thumb in May, weeks after winning the Shell Houston Open and finishing third at the Masters in Augusta.

He returned to action at the Bridgestone Invitational on Aug. 8 and played a further five tournaments on the PGA Tour, but failed to add to his seven European Tour entries in 2010.

Kim lies 48th on the Race to Dubai money list, and will not qualify for Europe’s season-ending Dubai World Championship next month because of his failure to play 12 events.
 
Poulter back to defend Singapore Open title

Meantime, Briton Ian Poulter will defend his Singapore Open title next month, organizers of the $6 million event said on Wednesday.

The co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event at the Sentosa Golf Club offers $1 million to the winner and is the joint richest event on the European Tour outside of the majors and the World Golf Championships.

“It is terrific news that Ian Poulter, a big crowd favorite, will be returning to Sentosa Golf Club to defend his … Singapore Open title,” Robert Morrice, chairman & CEO Asia Pacific of the title sponsors Barclays, said in a media release.

“His win last year is still fresh in the memory and given his form in the Ryder Cup I am sure he will be challenging for the trophy again this time.”

Also taking part in the Nov. 11-14 event are the year’s four major winners — Masters champion Phil Mickelson, US Open holder Graeme McDowell, US PGA winner Martin Kaymer of Germany and British Open victor Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa.