Worldwide Golf

ERNIE Els picked up his second consecutive win on American soil with a tense victory at the rain-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.

Els was forced to close out the victory on the Monday after heavy rain caused play to stop on Sunday with the South African two strokes ahead with four holes to play.

“It was a tough finish for me,” said Els who saw a five shot lead cut to two after a double bogey-bogey run before the rain came. “I’ve been thinking about these last four holes for 22 hours so it was nice to finally get on the golf course.

“I kind of limped home but the work I have put in has started paying off, and obviously my short game is good. I got it up and down the last two holes.”

Els made four pars to seal the victory – including excellent up-and-downs from a bunker on the par-3 17^th and from just off the green on the 18^th  - and take home his second title of the season,

Kevin Na came close to catching Ernie after a birdie on the par-5 16^th took him to within one shot but a bogey at the last ended his chances. Edoardo Molinari carded a best-of-the-day 3-under 69 to finish in second place alongside Na.