Ernie Els. Photo: Gallo Images
Els (43) became the oldest-ever winner of the BMW International Open on Sunday posting a last round three under par 69 to win by a shot on 18-under par.
Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, winner of the event 13 years ago, was left to count the costs of a 14th hole double bogey in signing for a score of 69 for an 18-under par total.
The win is Els’s 68th worldwide and comes just four weeks before the defence of his British Open title at Muirfield where he will return on Tuesday for a practice round and a first visit since capturing the 2002 Open and the third of four Major victories.
“Winning this championship will just give me so much confidence going into the Open Championship,” he said.
“Winning wire-to-wire means you have all the pressure of sleeping each night on the lead and with guys chasing you, so it’s been quite a week for me as there was some really great players in the field.”
“And for being the oldest winner, I was looking at the trophy and seeing Miguel Angel Jimenez‘s name there, and I guess given he’s still only 49 he must have won it 10 years ago,” he added, smiling.
“But it’s just great to finally get my name on this wonderful trophy.” – AFP
PGA Tour Records have compiled a list of the oldest golfers to win one of the men’s major championships:
Julius Boros: 1968 PGA Championship, 48 years
Jack Nicklaus: 1986 Masters, 46 years
Old Tom Morris: 1867 British Open, 46 years
Jerry Barber: 1961 PGA Championship, 45 Years
Hale Irwin: 1990 U.S. Open, 45 years
Lee Trevino: 1984 PGA Championship, 44 years
Roberto de Vicenzo: 1967 British Open, 44 years
Harry Vardon: 1914 British Open, 44 years
Raymond Floyd: 1986 U.S. Open, 43 years
Ted Ray: 1920 U.S. Open, 43 years
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