Els works overtime to win another Sony trophy

Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 | 9:02 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

When Ernie Els comes to Hawaii, he makes far more money than he spends.

Winning the Sony Open for the second consecutive year in a playoff, Els made a 30-footer for birdie on the third extra hole to outlast Harrison Frazar on Sunday at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. Earning a first-place check worth $864,000, Els became the first back-to-back winner at Waialae since Corey Pavin won in 1986 and 1987.

But it was not easy against Frazar, a 32-year-old veteran looking for his first PGA Tour victory and competing in his first playoff. Els, who shot a final-round 65, and Frazar (66) finished at 18-under-par 262. The playoff ended at the par-3, 196-yard 11th hole, where Els rolled in the winning putt after Frazar missed a birdie attempt from 35 feet.

Last year at the Sony, Els defeated Aaron Baddeley with a 43-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole. For Els, winning in a playoff at the Sony never gets old.

"It's good that you know you've made putts under pressure," said Els, who is ranked No. 3 in the world and won seven events worldwide last year. "I knew Harrison would be tough. He's ready to win."

It appeared that Els would win on the second playoff hole, the par-4, 353-yard No. 10, after Frazar hit a poor tee shot into the left rough and needed three shots to reach the green. But after Frazar made a 15-foot putt to save par, Els missed a 10-footer for a birdie, and the duel continued.

"I misread that putt and pushed it to the right," Els said.

Frazar began the day with a one-stroke lead over Els. But Els led by two strokes with four holes to play in regulation before he made a three-putt bogey at No. 15 that cut his lead to one. Then at the par-3, 189-yard 17th hole, Frazar rolled in a 20-foot putt that tied him with Els heading to No. 18.

Frazar got the quick advantage there, hitting his tee shot into the fairway. Els' tee shot drifted right into deep rough. Then Frazar hit a superb 2-iron second shot that was on line with the flag, stopping about 35 feet short of the cup. Els had no chance of reaching the green from deep rough, and his second shot landed in the fairway, still about 65 yards short of the flag.

The pressure was on Els, knowing that Frazar would probably make a birdie at worst. After Els hit an average pitch shot to 10 feet, Frazar had a 35-foot putt for an eagle to win. But Frazar left his putt 4 feet short and right, giving Els his chance. He capitalized, making the 10-foot putt for a birdie and forcing Frazar to make his 4-footer to force a playoff.