Els upbeat about future

Els; Positive

This was a great week for me working on the golf ball. This week was a big week, I made a lot of putts, my short game is back, so I'm feeling good about my future again.

Ernie Els
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Ernie Els remains upbeat despite making a final-hole blunder to hand Phil Mickelson the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champion in Shanghai on Sunday.

The three-time major winner came agonisingly close to his first win of the year before dropping just one, albeit crucial, shot to see Mickleson win by the narrowest of margins.

After beginning the day seven shots adrift of overnight leader Els, playing with a new ball for the first time this week, posted a course-record nine-under-par final round of 63.

But, holding a one-shot lead the end of a superb round, the South African made his only mistake of the day, splashing his five wood approach at the 18th into the lake

Els however, who is facing his first winless season since turning professional in 1989, remained pragmatic about the outcome and insisted he would draw encouragement from his performance for the future.

Pressure

"I really did give it a heck of a run," he said. "I had a good time. It was a wonderful day.

"I knew the pressure was on, I knew the situation, and for me this was a great preparation for the weeks to come.

"I can't think about the shot at the last. For me to come back all the way, to actually share the lead, was quite nice.

"I'm disappointed about that, but what I'm going to really think about is the 63 I shot. This was a great week for me working on the golf ball.

"This week was a big week, I made a lot of putts, my short game is back, so I'm feeling good about my future again."