A day before his 25th birthday, Els took home the biggest winner's paycheck in Europe on Sunday and earned more plaudits as a golfer pegged for superstardom for many years to come.
"It's nice to hear those kinds of remarks,'' Els said, "but I don't think you want to start believing in that stuff. I've got a long way to go.''
The South African defeated in consecutive days three of the top 18 players in the world -- five-time champion Seve Ballesteros, U.S. Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal and leading European PGA Tour money-winner Montgomerie -- to take home the$240,000 top prize.
Montgomerie lost the match on the greens, failing to hole three short putts for pars on the opening outward nine.
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