Wentworth, Oct 19: Ernie Els will meet Thomas Bjorn in Match Play final. Ernie Els had double cause for celebration on Saturday (October 18) with victory in his World Match Play Championship semi-final coinciding with confirmation that he will finish as Europe's number one this season.
The big South African world number two, chasing a record-equalling fifth Match Play title and a one million pounds (1.67 million U.S. dollar) first prize into the bargain, won an astonishing eight holes in a row on his way to a 5 and 4 defeat of Vijay Singh. That run surpassed a 38-year record in the event set by his countryman Gary Player during his comeback win over Tony Lema.
Holder Els, 34 last Friday, will meet Denmark's Thomas Bjorn in the final after he beat American Ben Curtis by two holes. Els learned earlier on Saturday that he could not be overhauled as Europe's leading money winner with over two million pounds after his nearest rival Darren Clarke decided against playing in next week's Madrid Open, the season's penultimate event.


Els had looked in trouble early on in the 36-hole match against Singh who led four-up at one stage but his fortunes turned dramatically from the 16th as he won the last three holes with birdies and followed up after lunch by winning the first five of his afternoon round. That left him four-up.


The Fijian finally found some rhythm but even when he eagled the long 12th, Els matched it with a magnificent eight iron to four feet and a bogey from Singh at the 14th completed his misery.

Bjorn's win was some consolation for this year's British Open, won by Curtis, which he could have taken but for a prolonged visit to a bunker from which he took three attempts to escape.


European Ryder Cup player Bjorn was never headed on Saturday but had to fight all the way against Curtis who battled back from four down at one stage to stand one adrift with one to play.


A nervy Bjorn finally closed out the match, though, at the long 18th with a perfectly struck approach to reach the green in two while Curtis miscued slightly and, ironically, found sand where he fluffed his bunker shot before conceding.


Bureau Report