Magnificent seventh title for Els

WENTWORTH, England -- Ernie Els capped a perfect week at Wentworth by claiming his seventh HSBC World Match Play title with a 6 & 4 victory against Angel Cabrera in the final on Sunday.

The South African, who has a house near the course and also helped re-design it, claimed the £1 million (US$2 million) first prize after extending his record number of victories in the event.

The 37-year-old added U.S. Open champion Cabrera's scalp to a list of victims this week that also included Colin Montgomerie, Andres Romero and Henrik Stenson.

He moved to the top of the European Tour's Order of Merit with his first victory this year, but can still be overhauled as he will not be playing at the season-ending Volvo Masters due to commitments in Singapore.

Cabrera had been 32 under par this week going into the 36-hole final, but the Argentine bogeyed the first hole to surrender the early advantage.

Els birdied the par-four third hole to double his lead and was three up by the turn -- a lead he maintained at the halfway stage after firing a birdie at 18 while Cabrera double-bogeyed.

The world No. 5 went four ahead when Cabrera bogeyed the par-four 21st hole, but his Presidents Cup team-mate halved the deficit with birdies at 24 and 27.

But Els holed a 15-foot putt at the par-three 28th then was able to birdie the par-five 30th with two putts.

Cabrera bogeyed the par-four 31st to drop another hole and Els clinched victory with another birdie at the par-three 32nd.

"I wish I could move Wentworth around the world with me," Els said. "It's absolutely a dream come true. In my wildest dreams, I would not have dreamt I could win it seven times.

"A certain Mr Woods was not here this week, thank goodness, but I've had a great week. My putting saved me in the semifinal (against Henrik Stenson) and for some reason today it was all there."

Els, who turns 38 on Wednesday, revealed that he had been troubled by a back complaint during the final.

"I felt it earlier on, but on the 12th and 13th it was pretty bad," he said. "I walked it off a bit over the last few holes, but I can still feel it a bit."

Cabrera added: "I have had a great week and played well, but it wasn't enough today.

"Ernie played very well. He is the king of Wentworth. He knows the course like his own backyard, so he is very comfortable here." E-mail to a friend

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