Els finally won his first tournament of 2006

FINAL LEADERBOARD
(SA unless stated):

-24 E Els
-21 T Immelman
-20 P Sjoland (Swe)
-16 D Fichardt
-15 R Goosen, L Oosthuizen, A Raitt (Eng)

Ernie Els won the SAA Open to preserve his remarkable record of winning at least one tournament a year since 1991.

The South African hit a final round of 65 to finish on 24 under, three shots ahead of compatriot Trevor Immelman, who had led by three overnight.

Els fired five birdies in the final seven holes to card the joint-best score while Immelman only managed a 71.

Patrik Sjoland of Sweden was third on 20 under while Andrew Raitt was the highest-placed Briton, tying for fifth.

That's as good as I can play probably Ernie Els

English golfer Gary Lockerbie shot a final-round 65 to move up to joint-eighth alongside Lee Westwood, who had a 70.

It was Els' 62nd win as a professional and his fourth SAA Open title.

The only blip on the 37-year-old's final round on a blustery day came when he dropped a shot at the 18th hole.

His final score of 24 under was a record winning total at the tournament.

"That's as good as I can play probably," said Els.

"Under the circumstances I was chasing the first couple of holes and then I was in the lead and then I had to protect the lead and be aggressive.

"There were a lot of different emotions going on today. I view the South African Open like I do a major, and that's how I played this week."