Els holds off late Woods challenge

Ernie Els fought off a Tiger Woods comeback to claim the Genuity Championship title in Miami.

Ernie Els fought off a Tiger Woods comeback to claim the Genuity Championship title in Miami.

Els has a recent history of runner-up finishes to Woods and almost saw the PGA Player of the Year make up an eight-shot deficit.

The South African laboured to an even-par 72 to end the tournament at 17-under 271, securing his first PGA Tour victory in 19 months.

Woods birdied his first three holes, but he cooled off and his six-under 66, the lowest round of the day, was not enough as it left him at on 15-under 273.

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No player has ever rallied from more than six shots behind in the final round of a US PGA Tour event. But Woods, winless in seven PGA Tour starts dating to last season, has erased four 54-hole deficits of at least four shots during on the circuit.

But an eight-shot lead was big enough for Els, who had gone 20 events between titles