Els staked himself to a seven-shot lead by opening with a pair of 64s.
His total of 16 under 268 was six shots better than Mark McCumber and Nick Faldo, tied for second on 274. Brad Faxon shot a 64 for 275 and a tie with Ian Woosnam and Paul Azinger, who each shot 68.
Els, from South Africa, collected $550,000 for the win.
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