ERNIE ELS of South Africa shot a level-par 71 yesterday to cruise to an eight-stroke victory in the $1.2 million Buick Classic at West Chester Country Club in New York.
Els led by as many as 10 strokes during the final round and became only the third player in tournament history to lead from start to finish. The others were Arnold Palmer in 1971 and Bob Gilder in 1982.
Bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes kept the 26-year-old South African from setting tournament records for low score and victory margin, but he still posted a 13-under 271 and beat Jeff Maggert, Tom Lehman and Australians Craig Parry and Steve Elkington by eight shots.
Els, who finished second in 1994 and tied for fourth last year, started the day with a six-stroke lead over Tim Herron and birdied the second and third holes before bogeying three of the next five holes.
With his lead down to three shots, Els ran off birdies on the ninth, 11th and 13th holes and opened a nine-stroke lead as the rest of the field faltered. He birdied the third and ninth holes four times apiece during the tournament and the victory was his third on the USPGA Tour to go along with 14 international wins.
