Ernie Els wins Principal Charity Classic for fourth PGA TOUR Champions victory
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Written by Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ernie Els won the Principal Charity Classic on Sunday for his fourth career PGA TOUR Champions victory, closing with a 7-under 65 at Wakonda Club to beat defending champion Stephen Ames by two strokes.
Tied with Rod Pampling for the second-round lead, Els eagled the par-5 15th and had five birdies in his bogey-free final round. The 54-year-old Hall of Famer from South Africa finished at 21-under 195 for his first victory since March 2023.
“It’s very special,” Els said. “You know, I haven’t won for a while. I’ve had quite a few chances, but it gets tougher when you don’t get it over the line. So today was very, very competitive. A lot of players, a lot of great players. I just took my chance when it came.”
Ernie Els sets scoring record en route to win at Principal Charity
Ames shot 66. He leads the Champions 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 PGA TOUR Champions' career victory leader with 46.
Pampling (69) and David Duval (67) also were 17 under.