Ernie Els Wins British Open, Adam Scott Collapses Late
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Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images(LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England) — Ernie Els celebrated the 10th anniversary of his last British Open win in a playoff this weekend and capped it off with another major championship at Royal Lytham. Adam Scott entered Sunday with a four stroke lead but bogeyed the last four holes and gave Els his fourth major championship for his career.
Els birdied the 18th hole for a 2-under 68, and then walked over to the putting green hoping he’d have a chance to get into another playoff for the title, just like 2002, but Scott made sure that would not happen.
“I’m a little numb at the moment,” said Els, who started the final round six shots behind. “First of all, I feel for Adam Scott. He’s a great friend of mind. Obviously, we both wanted to win very badly. But you know, that’s the nature of the beast. That’s why we’re out here. You win, you lose. It was my time for some reason.”
Scott was seeking his first major championship.
“I had it in my hands with four to go,” Scott said. “I managed to hit a poor shot on each of the closing four holes. Look, I played so beautifully for most of the week. I shouldn’t let this bring me down.”
Brandt Snedeker finished tied for third with Tiger Woods both finishing 3-under.
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