KA’UPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii — Ernie Els won the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship Saturday for his seventh PGA Tour Champions victory, closing with a 6-under 66 to beat Bernard Langer, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alex Cejka by two shots.
Langer, 67, missed a chance to win for a 19th consecutive season on the 50-and-over circuit. The German star won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup championship last year for his record 47th senior title.
Els finished at 18-under 198 at Hualalai Golf Course. Playing alongside Els and Cejka in the final group, Langer shot the final four holes in 66. Jimenez finished with a 64 and Cejka shot 68. Langer and Jimenez each won the event three times.
“I’ve been trying to get my hands on this trophy for five years now,” Els said. I approached my very first time and finally managed to cross the line. But what a battle it was. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to play golf and spend a week’s vacation with a golf tournament. Wonderful week.
Els and Langer broke out of a six-way tie for the lead with matching birdies at the par-5 14th, and Els edged Langer with a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-4 15th.
Els saved par at the par-4 16th with a 10-footer, then let a 25-foot birdie try an inch short on the par-3 17th. At the par-4 18th, after Langer’s long birdie try slipped, Els made a 10-foot holeshot for the two-shot margin.
Els won three times last season. The 55-year-old South African is a four-time major champion, winning the US Open and The Open twice each.
“I did it under the spotlight, a very close race all day, all week actually,” Els said. “I had to make a few clutch putts. Even if you don’t believe in yourself as much anymore, days like this, when you make those putts like you used to, it gives you hope.
Defending champion Steven Alker and Jerry Kelly each shot 65 to place fifth at 15 under.
Steve Stricker is tied for 19th at 10 under after a 69 in his first official PGA Tour Champions event since September.
