Ernie Els captured the BMW International Open in Germany on Sunday, moving back into the winner’s circle after nearly a year-long hiatus.
Here is a by-the-numbers look at Els’ one-shot victory:
• It was his 28th European Tour title in his 282nd event
• His victory is expected to move him to about No. 14 in the world rankings. He hasn’t been ranked that high since April 2011.
• Els became the third wire-to-wire winner of the BMW International Open, joining David Feherty (1989) and Sandy Lyle (1991), but the fifth wire-to-wire winner this season: Richard Sterne (Joburg Open) Tiger Woods (Doral), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Malaysian Open) and Marcel Siem (Trophee Hassan II).
• It was the fourth consecutive year that Els has recorded a European Tour victory. That matches the longest active streak, joining Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen and Matteo Manassero.
• The gap between Els’ first and latest European Tour victory is 19 years, 144 days.
• The BMW title was Els’ fourth since he turned 40 – 2010 Doral, 2011 South African Open, 2012 Open.
• It was his 68th worldwide win as a professional.