Ernie Els broke new ground on Sunday when he became the first player to record 300 career top-ten finishes since the inception of the Official Golf World Rankings in 1986.
The four-time Major Champion achieved the landmark feat when he posted a closing 71 to finish in a tie for seventh at the Maybank Championship.
The 49-year-old mixed three birdies with two bogeys in his final round to end the week five strokes behind champion Scott Hend and Nacho Elvira, who was beaten in a play-off.
The 28-time European Tour winner rolled back the years as he treated the locals to a short game masterclass throughout the week in Malaysia, with his impressive putting helping him post scores of 68, 70 and 69 in the first three rounds.
He said: ‘I’m really happy that I’m playing good golf again.
‘My body feels good and the ball-striking is there now. On the greens I’m starting to feel really comfortable, so that means I can have a chance again to play with these guys.
‘That’s what I want, to feel like I can have a chance playing Saturdays and Sundays, and that’s kind of my goal.’
Darren Fichardt matched Els’ number and will bring back R957 695 from his week’s work.
