Titleist ambassador Ernie Els had eight birdies and a bogey en route to a final round 7-under 65 to capture South African Airways Open in come-from-behind fashion. Trusting a complete bag of Titleist equipment from tee-to-green, Els finished at 24-under 264, establishing a new tournament scoring record. He was three shots clear of the runner-up who started the day with a three-stroke lead. Pro V1x player Patrik Sjoland, who led at the halfway mark, shot a final round 67 to finish third at 268. Els and Sjoland were the only two players to shoot four consecutive rounds in the 60s.
– The win was the 23rd PGA European Tour title and the 58th international victory of Els’ illustrious professional career. He has posted at least one worldwide win every year dating back to 1992.
– It was the fourth time Els has won his native South Africa’s national open, having previously captured the 1992, 1996 and 1998 editions.
– Els accomplished the record-setting victory trusting a Pro V1x prototype golf ball and Titleist 907D2 prototype driver (8.5).
– Els also relied upon PT 906F 3- and 5-woods (13.0, 18.0), Forged 670 irons (3-P), Vokey Design Spin Milled sand (54) and lob (59) wedges and a Scotty Cameron by Titleist prototype putter.
– The prototype Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls are weaving an early pattern of success, beginning with Davis Love III’s victory at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro the first week they were available for competition on the PGA Tour. Els’ victory marks the fourth overall win with the new Pro V1x prototype on four different tours across four continents. In addition to Love’s precedent-setting performance at Greensboro, Els’ win was preceded by victories by Padraig Harrington at the Dunlop Phoenix Open in Japan and John Senden at the Australian Open.
– Els is the first player to win on the worldwide professional tours with the 907D2 prototype driver that Titleist recently began seeding with its tour staff. Els was among the first to put it in play in competition when he finished T10 at the season-ending TOUR Championship.
– Titleist was the overwhelming golf ball of choice at the South African Open with 124 players (80%), more than eight times the nearest competitor with 15. Titleist players have won 5 of the first 6 events on the 2007 PGA European Tour schedule.
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