Els holds off Aussie Pampling for Champions Tour win

Ernie Els has won the Principal Charity Classic for his fourth career PGA Tour Champions victory, closing with a seven-under 65 at Wakonda Club to beat defending champion Stephen Ames by two strokes.

Tied with Australia’s Rod Pampling for the second-round lead, Els eagled the par-5 15th and had five birdies in his bogey-free final round on Sunday. The 54-year-old Hall of Famer from South Africa finished at 21-under 195.

Canadian Ames shot 66 and leads the tour with two victories this season.

Bernard Langer tied for third at 17 under after a 68. Making his fourth start since returning from an achilles injury, the 66-year-old German star is the tour’s career victory leader with 46.

Pampling (69) and David Duval (67) of the US were also 17 under.

David Branson (66) finished tied for 10th at 14 under while fellow Australians Steve Allan (68) and Stuart Appleby (66) were joint-12th a further shot back.

With AAP.