Els wins Open shocker after Scott collapses

Ernie Els won the British Open and ended a 10-year major victory drought in shocking fashion yesterday at Royal Lytham as Adam Scott squandered a four-stroke lead with four holes to play.

Els sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th, his third birdie in four days at the finishing hole, while Scott made bogeys on the final four holes in a total collapse.

Els captured his fourth major title after the 1994 and 1997 US Opens and the 2002 British Open by navigating brisk winds and avoiding pesky pot bunkers down the stretch, going four-under par on the back nine to capture the Claret Jug.

The 42-year-old South African, who had gone winless in 36 major starts since his 2002 Open play-off triumph at Muirfield, fired a two-under par 68 to finish 72 holes at seven-under 273 and edge Scott, who fired a 75, by one stroke.

Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion who was still in the hunt with six holes remaining, settled for a share of third on 277 with US countryman Brandt Snedeker.