Johannesburg - Ernie Els and James Kingston flew the flag for South Africa with a share of sixth place at the BMW PGA Championship European Tour event at Wentworth Club, in Surrey, on Sunday.
Els fired a final round 67, while Kingston compiled a 68 for the pair to finish on an eight under 280 total - two shots outside a playoff won by 20-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero.
The Big Easy was pleased with his play on a course he had a part in redesigning and where he owns a property nearby.
“I finally found something, obviously I played really nice the back nine,” Els told the European Tour after his round.
Els began his round poorly with a bogey on his first hole before a birdie at the par five fourth to go out in even par.
His charge up the leaderboard caught fire with five birdies coming home, including three in a row to end his round.
“I actually started playing a little bit better yesterday late afternoon, but found something in my swing and my putting and so forth, so it was nice to finally start playing some decent golf. " Els said he had been disappointed with a third round even-par 72. “I was nowhere yesterday for some reason. I thought I played okay Friday and then yesterday was just mentally, physically, everything wasn't there." Els felt he built up good momentum in the fourth round. “Today was a little bit better, and it's unfortunate that it came on Sunday but at least it did come on Sunday and not Monday.
"So at least we can get some good form going into these next couple of weeks.” Els said the Wentworth layout was particularly testing, especially during the first two rounds where the temperatures were bitterly cold with driving rain.
“If you're going to miss some shots, you're going to get penalised. The tee shots, the bunkers are so deep now, they are almost links type bunkers, so it's going to be at least a shot, half a shot penalty.
"You're going to have to check your distance control."
Els said his good finish to his round was down to his confident mood.
“There's some good flags coming in, but if you play proper golf - the tee is up on 17, there's a birdie, eagle chance there and 18 is up.
"If you play good golf, you should be fine, but for the guy that's doubting himself, it's a test.”
Other South Africans in the field included Branden Grace and George Coetzee down in 24th place on a four under total for the week. Coetzee had threatened the leaders in the first two rounds after scores of 69 and 70, but a third round 75 took him out of contention.
Jaco van Zyl and Garth Mulroy settled for a tied-45th finish on level par for the four rounds.
Jbe Kruger was a further shot behind on one over in a share of 50th.
Richard Sterne rounded out the South Africans with his 57th place on two over.