cheap jordans-Scott's collapse hands Els British Open title

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Ernie Els doffed his cap to the cheering fans when his putt fell at Royal Lytham & St. Annes' 18th hole, doing a little half-pirouette in delight at a strong British Open finish.

The Hall of Famer accepted congratulations, signed his card and strolled over to the putting green to await the inevitable letdown.

"I just thought I'd be disappointed again," said Els, who over a star-crossed career has spent more time than he cares to admit waiting for playoffs that never came.

The playoff never came.

Ernie Els is Champion Golfer of the Year.

Adam Scott's four-bogey finish Sunday left a stunned Els in possession of the claret jug for the second time, culminating a chaotic final half-hour in which the Aussie's quest for a first major title went from clear sailing to shipwrecked.

"I'm still numb. It still hasn't set in," Els said not quite an hour after the whirlwind finish. "It'll probably take quite a few days, because I haven't been in this position for 10 years.

"It's just crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy. A crazy game."

Els made four birdies on the back nine in a 2-under-par 68, capping it with that 20-footer at No. 18 that seemingly beelined into the hole. He was the only man from Sunday's final seven pairings to break par as gusty winds finally arrived to give Royal Lytham some teeth.

Even so, it wouldn't have been enough without Scott's slippage.

"I'm pretty disappointed," said Scott, who led by four after a birdie at No. 14. "I had it in my hands with four to go and proceeded to hit a poor shot on each of the last four. That's what happens on a course like this."

The Aussie instead became the latest Open hard-luck casualty. Jean Van de Velde remains the (fool's) gold standard, blowing a three-shot lead with his triple bogey at Carnoustie's 18th in 1999.

Thomas Bjorn left a two-shot lead in a 16th-hole bunker in 2003 at Royal St. George's. Three years ago, 59-year-old Tom Watson botched the 18th hole, ruining a turn-back-the-clock victory for the ages.

"I know I've let a really great chance slip through my fingers," Scott said.

Scott finished with a 75 that included seven bogeys. Els was the only man to shoot par or better all four days, finishing at 7-under 273.

Tiger Woods was four shots back in a tie for third, carding a 73 that included an adventurous triple bogey at No. 6. A bunker shot caromed back and almost hit him, and his eventual escape came from a sitting position on the bank above.

"Overall I'm pleased with the way I played," Woods said. "Unfortunately, just a couple here and there ended up costing me some momentum — especially today at (No.) 6."

Brandt Snedeker shared third with Woods after a 74, dropping from contention after double bogeys at Nos. 7 and 8. Graeme McDowell (75) and Luke Donald (69) were another shot back.

Sunday's triumph came 10 years and one day after Els' other Open crown, when he won a four-man playoff on the fifth hole of overtime at Muirfield. He preceded that with two U.S. Open titles in 1994 and '97.

But he'd also lost an Open playoff to Todd Hamilton in 2004, three months after he waited on the Masters putting green for possible extra holes. Phil Mickelson birdied No. 18 for his first major title.

"I really feel for (Scott), but it's the nature of the beast," Els said. "It was my time for some reason."

Scott had missed a short par putt at No. 16 moments before Els' final birdie, setting up the final drama.

An approach shot at No. 17 sailed into lush rough right of the green, and Scott's chip flew 12 feet past the flag for a third consecutive bogey. Grabbing a 3-wood on the 18th tee, he watched helplessly as his drive skipped into one of the 17 bunkers that flank the fairway and green.

After Scott chipped out sideways, a splendid wedge touched down in the middle of the green and rolled into par range. The putt, however, stayed a hair too far left.