Els holds his nerve to strike it rich

Local hero Ernie Els claimed that holing the putt to win the richest prize in golf had been the most nerve-racking moment of his career.  

The South African held his nerve at the second extra play-off hole to pip Lee Westwood to the £1.3million first prize and clinch the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City.

"I don't know how I managed to take the putter back," said the 31-year-old.

"It's difficult to compare it to a putt to win a major, but this was the most nervous I have ever been," he said.

"The butterflies were flying around in my stomach. They say the game's superstars play to win and don't care about the money.

"But, believe me, with two millions dollars at stake you do think about it. I guess money does talk."

Els' victory, his second successive triumph in the event, came after a thrilling final day that saw the lead change hands on several occasions.

Westwood, the European number one from Worksop, looked to have prevailed when he returned a six-under-par 66 for a four-round total of 268 - 20 under par.

Johannesburg-born Els, however, managed to claw himself back into contention and then drew level at 20 under with steely birdies at the 16th and 17th.

A par at the last ensured a play-off where, after both players had halved the first extra hole, the 16th, Els fired a nine iron to six feet at the second, the 17th, and kept his cool to seal the jackpot prize.

"I'm not really disappointed," said Westwood, whose consolation was a prize of £200,000. "If you'd offered me 20 under before we started, I'd have taken it."

Els paid his own tribute to the Englishman: "Lee's such a fighter. He didn't really have his 'A' game here this week but he stayed in touch because he's so determined, and he's such an unbelievably good putter."

Westwood, who was paired with Zimbabwe's Nick Price for the final round over the Gary Player Country Club, said they had both thought it would take a 64 to win in the final round.

"But the greens were firmer than they had been all week, and we revised our target throughout," Westwood said.

Westwood again came unstuck at the par five ninth, where he hit his second into the water surrounding the green.

"That hole has been my nemesis the whole week," he said.

The 27-year-old was able to put himself right in contention again though with three consecutive birdies from the 14th, but in the end his challenge fell just short.

Thomas Bjorn finished one shot back on 19 under after birdies at the last two holes, but the Dane could perhaps have been involved more in the destination of the trophy but for bogeys at the 11th and 13th.

Nick Price, chasing an unprecedented fourth victory in this 12-man invitation-only event, also finished on 269.