All is well with Els

Ernie Els proved he still has what it takes to compete on golf's bigger stages with his four-shot victory over fellow South African Charl Schwartzel in the CA Championship yesterday at Doral's TPC Blue Monster course.

The balky putting stroke that had prevented Els from winning on the PGA Tour for two years evaporated. He needed just 26 putts in his closing 6-under-par 66 and holed a 24-foot putt to save par on the 14th hole in what was a key turning point in his duel with Schwartzel.

"This means so much," Els said. "I didn't think it was ever going to happen again. But I felt all week that the work that I did, that I finally had to trust it at some stage, and there's no better day to really test yourself. I just wanted to prove to myself for once. Charl came at me all day. I had to come up with the goods."

Els, who last won two years ago at the Honda Classic, became only the fifth player with multiple victories in the World Golf Championships, joining Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson. With his 61st career victory and 17th on the PGA Tour, Els moved to No. 8 in the world ranking.

Perhaps more important, the three-time major champion declared his relevancy again after going through a rough stretch that had many questioning his ability. Now, at age 40, Els will enter this year's Masters with the knowledge he can still win.

"I've said for the last few years, he's still got it in him," said Ricci Roberts, Els' longtime caddie, who was working for him for the first time this year. "And I think he's still got two or three majors in him, never mind winning other golf tournaments.

"I just think it was a massive factor getting over this first hurdle, and that was getting a win under your belt. The longer between wins the more difficult it gets. This was his first win since Honda. It's massive for him."

The victory, worth $1.4 million, also moved Els past Colin Montgomerie and atop the PGA European Tour career money list with about $33.6 million. On an entertainment scale of 1 to 5, Oldgolfdawg would throw it 3 1/2 dog biscuits. American viewers didn't have much to cheer for other than Matt Kuchar, who shot a 68 to tie for third with Padraig Harrington and Martin Kaymer.

Schwartzel, who won twice earlier this year on the European Tour, was the only player to give Els a run. He was derailed by two bogeys on the last four holes after starting the day tied for the lead with Els. Schwartzel's stout play and closing 70 received lavish praise from NBC analyst Johnny Miller, who predicted the golf world will be hearing a lot more from the 25-year-old South African.

Schwartzel, who will be able to take up PGA Tour membership next year, was not discouraged despite leaking some oil down the stretch. "For me, it's been the biggest stage I've had," he said. "This is a good day for me."

Information from the Associated Press and ESPN.com contributed to this post.