 | SONY OPEN -18 Ernie Els (SA), Harrison Frazar -15 Davis Love III -14 Frank Lickliter II -13 Jerry Kelly, Briny Baird |
Ernie Els retained his Sony Open title with a tense play-off win over Harrison Frazar at Waialae Country Club. The South African triumphed at the third extra hole after the pair ended their final rounds level on 18 under.
Frazar had begun the day with a one-shot lead but Els reeled him in with a five-under round of 65.
The American had a chance to snatch his first PGA Tour victory at the second extra hole but Els hung on to repeat his Sony play-off heroics of last year.
Davis Love III finished third on 15 under, with Frank Lickliter II fourth on 14 under.
Frazar almost won in regulation with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th, but Els sank a 10-footer to force a play-off.
Both players parred the first two extra holes, before Els came up with a winning biride at the par-three 11th.
Els' victory made him the first player to win the event two years in a row since Corey Pavin in 1986-87.
The South African failed to hit form at last week's Mercedes Championship, but made just three bogeys all week in Hawaii.
MMIX
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