Methodical Els Does Just What It Takes Tough Pars Give South African Golfer His Second Major Tournament Victory

How do you win the U.S. Open? The Ernie Els method was to par the last four holes, then hold on while everyone close to him took off in full retreat.

Els, a 27-year-old South African who lives in Florida, won his second U.S. Open in four years Sunday at Congressional Country Club, where he survived a four-way duel featuring missed putts, drowned golf balls and enough pressure to melt every iron in your bag.

With a shock of red hair stuck beneath his cap and working hard on a piece of chewing gum, Els directed his golf ball into the 18th hole from five feet away to secure a one-shot victory over Colin Montgomerie.

“I was really, really tense over that putt,” Els said.

And it wasn’t because President Clinton was in the audience. A second Open title is not to be lightly regarded, Els said.

“You’re going to a different class now,” he said. “A lot of guys have won one major. I’ve won two now. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself, but I’m very happy.

“I’ve got two now, and I’m looking for more.”

Els persevered, doing whatever was needed to get by. Like chipping in from the front of the green for a birdie on No. 10, and in less spectacular fashion by coaxing in a 10-footer to save par on No. 14.

His drive toward another major title began at 7 a.m. when he played his last five holes left over from Saturday’s third round. The fact that he finished that one par-birdie-birdie-birdie-par got Els pointed in the right direction before heading out to do battle with Congressional in one final, 18-hole push.

“You know, three years ago when I won this tournament, it was like a war out there,” he said. “And I knew it was going to be the same today.”

He was right about that.