For most of the today’s final round, Adam Scott appeared to have the British Open Championship safely in hand. However, Scott bogeyed the last four holes to finish with a -7. At the same time, Ernie Els shot a -4 on the back nine to finish with a -8 and win the coveted Claret Jug.

PHOTO CREDIT - TheOpen.com

Windsor - July 22, 2012 - For most of the today’s final round, Adam Scott appeared to have the British Open Championship safely in hand. However, Scott bogeyed the last four holes to finish with a -7. At the same time, Ernie Els shot a -4 on the back nine to finish with a -8 and win the coveted Claret Jug.

It was ten years ago yesterday that Els last won the Open by defeating Stuart Appleby. This is the fourth Major Championship for the South African native, as he won the US Open in 1994 and 1997. Els has now won a major championship in three different decades.

When asked about this accomplishment Els said, “Means I have been around a long time and have shown perseverance here and there.” Els becomes only the 27th golfer to have won four major titles.

In accepting the trophy, Els said, “I feel for my buddy Adam Scott..you are going to win many of these.”

Scott was very gracious in defeat, “I’m really disappointed. I played so beautifully the rest of the week, I shouldn’t let this bring me down.”

Tiger Woods had an up and down final round and finished third with a -3. Woods had three birdies, three bogies and three pars on the back nine. Brandt Snedeker (-3), Luke Donald (-2) and Graham McDowell (-2) rounded out the top five.

Most of the leaders struggled on the course today due to the high winds and many found themselves faced with difficult shots out of the numerous sand traps.

The Claret Jug is the most coveted trophy in the game and one of the most iconic in all of sport.

Els next heads to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club to compete in the 2012 RBC Canadian Open from July 23-39. Other notables scheduled to play north of the border next week inclue Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk, Vijah Singh, Snedeker and Appleby.