Miami ? An eight-stroke lead suddenly became Ernie Els’ worst nightmare.

It was bad enough that the Big Easy was having a difficult time in the Genuity Championship on Sunday. Worse yet, Els had to watch Tiger Woods in the group ahead put on a dazzling display of big drives and crucial putts, working the gallery into a frenzy.

“He has wiped out leads like that before,” Els said. “When he gets on a roll, it’s hard sometimes for him to hit a bad shot. It’s not a very comfortable feeling.”

At least this one had a happy ending.

A duel that Els never wanted turned into a victory he desperately needed on the Blue Monster at Doral when the 32-year-old South African withstood relentless pressure to win for the first time in 18 months on the PGA Tour. Els closed with an even-par 72 for a two-stroke victory over Woods. The comeback was so swift and shocking that Woods had a 40-foot eagle putt for a share of the lead on the 12th hole. He settled for birdie, and he finally ran out of magic. He never made another birdie, although he had three chances inside 15 feet.

“I made him work for it,” said Woods, who closed with a 66, playing the final 42 holes in blustery conditions without a bogey.

Els, who finished at 271 and earned $846,000, won for the first time on the PGA Tour since the International in 2000. Els has finished runner-up to Woods six times  three more times than any other player.