 | MELBOURNE LEADERBOARD -20 Ernie Els (SA) -19 Adam Scott (Aus) -15 Peter Fowler (Aus) |
Ernie Els edged to his third straight Heineken Classic success despite seeing his eight-stroke lead disappear in eight holes at Royal Melbourne. The South African eventually beat Adam Scott by one shot after carding a two-over par 74 in the final round.
Els hit a triple bogey and four bogeys as he reached the turn in six over, level with Australian Scott.
But four birdies in five holes on his bogey-free back nine helped the 'Big Easy' retake the lead for good.
"It was unbelievable," said Els. "It's like you are feeling a little bit helpless out there.
|  With a big lead, you just can't let it slip at this level, and I let it slip |
"I don't know how I brought it back, but I did. I was the only one who really knew how tough this was. "With a big lead, you just can't let it slip at this level, and I let it slip."
Scott had a birdie attempt on the final green that would have forced a play-off had it dropped.
"I thought I was going to make it, it was right on line, but I never hit it," said Scott.
"The greens are pretty quick, I've been lagging them all week. But I never should leave it short."
Els finished with a 20-under-par total of 268 while Scott's closing 67 left him at 19-under 269.
Australian Peter Fowler was third at 15-under, followed by Sweden's Peter Hanson a further shot back.
England's Ian Poulter was in a tie for 13th on 10 under with countrymen Paul Casey and Nick Faldo on four under.
MMIX
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