Ernie Els wins Arnold Palmer Invitational

After a two-year winning drought, Ernie Els took his second title in as many starts when he claimed the rain-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

The South African finished Sunday with four holes to play and only a two-shot lead from American Kevin Na, when heavy rain forced the tournament into Monday.

Els had held a five-shot lead on Sunday and his struggle over the Bay Hill back-nine looked to be continuing when he retuned on Monday, but impressive clutch putts at 15, 17 and 18 saw him finish on 11-under-par, two ahead of Na and Italian Edoardo Molinari.

Els said: "It was a tough finish for me. I've been thinking about these last four holes for 22 hours so it was nice to finally get on the golf course."

The world number seven added: "I kind of limped home but the work I have put in has started paying off, and obviously my short game is good."

The win meant a lot to Els in the build up to the US Masters, which starts on April 8.

"The changes [to the course] are unbelievable, it really tests your ability coming in. If you win here you can feel comfortable in Majors."

Fellow South African Retief Goosen finished at eight-under with American Chris Couch.

Elsewhere England's Brian Davis took 24th place and Scot Colin Montgomerie closed with a 79 to tie for 52nd.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida Mar 25-29, purse $6,000,000, par 72

1  Ernie Els (RSA) 68 69 69 71 $1,080,000 T2 Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 70 70 70 69 $528,000 T2 Kevin Na (USA) 68 70 72 69 $528,000 T4 Retief Goosen (RSA) 71 67 73 69 $264,000 T4 Chris Couch (USA) 70 70 69 71 $264,000 6 Ben Curtis (USA) 70 67 70 64 $216,000 T7 J.P. Hayes (USA) 70 72 70 70 $180,750 T7 D.J. Trahan (USA) 69 68 75 70 $180,750 T7 Ryuji Imada (JPN) 73 70 69 70 $180,750 T7 Kevin Streelman (USA) 68 75 68 71 $180,750