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Els in Wentworth seventh heaven

14/10/2007

Ernie Els has clinched his seventh World Match Play title after beating Angel Cabrera 6&4 at Wentworth.

The South African, who helped to redesign the West Course, pockets a winners' cheque for £1 million.

While Cabrera matched Els from tee to green, he was second best in the putting department.

Els is travelling to Paris from Luton airport to watch his country in action against Argentina in the rugby World Cup tonight.

The 37-year-old made an explosive start in the morning session and took a three-stroke lead after firing eight birdies in the opening 18 holes.

Els, a former world number one, won the first hole with a par and followed up with four birdies in the next eight holes to reach the turn with a three-hole lead.

He then sunk another four birdies on the back nine, while Argentinean Cabrera finished with a bogey-six at the 18th.

Els sealed victory at the 32nd of the scheduled 36 holes when Cabrera missed the green with his approach to the par three and then failed to chip-in from the back of the green.

The veteran said he wished he could move Wentworth around the world with him.
"It's absolutely a dream come true. In my wildest dreams, I would not have dreamt I could win it seven times," Els said.

"I didn't strike my drives as well as the previous couple of days, but my putter stayed hot."

Cabrera, who pockets a runners-up cheque for £400,000, said: "2007 has been a great year for me. Winning the US Open has changed my life.

"I congratulate Ernie - he is a great champion - but I hope Argentina beat South Africa in the rugby tonight in Paris and have better luck than I did."

The victory puts the South African top of the European Order of Merit with a £150,000 lead over Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose.