Sports

Scott falters and Els wins

Photo: Stockbyte, Photos.com

Jul 23, 2012 at 6:49 am

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) _ Ernie Els is champion of the 141st British Open. The South African won the claret jug by shooting a final round 2-under-68 to finish 7 shots under par.

The name on the claret jug was supposed to be Adam Scott, who had a four-shot lead with four holes to play.

But in a shocking turnaround Sunday, Els claimed the oldest trophy in golf. Scott joined a list of players who threw away a major.

That was not lost on Els, whose heart sank when he looked over at the 32-year-old Australian.

Els said he told Scott: ''You're a great player, a great friend of mine. I feel very fortunate. You're going to win many of these.''

Tiger Woods skied to a 3-over-73 in the final round to finish tied for third with Brandt Snedeker at three-under. Woods says his day pretty mch ended with a triple-bogey on the sixth hole.

The win by Els is his fourth in a major and second in the British Open. His first win in the world's oldest major came at Muirfield in 2002. He also won the US. Open in 1994 and 1997.