• The Open, Round Four

Els: I really feel for Scott

ESPN staff
July 22, 2012
Ernie Els finished one stroke ahead of Adam Scott at The Open © Getty Images
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Open winner Ernie Els expressed his sympathy for "great friend" Adam Scott following his dramatic triumph at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday.

Scott bogeyed each of the last four holes to hand Els his second Open title - and his first for ten years. The South African's 68, with four birdies on the back nine, proved enough to overhaul Scott, who was looking for a maiden major.

"I'm numb at the moment," Els told BBC Sport. "I really feel for Adam Scott. He's a great friend of mine. Obviously we both wanted to win very badly.

"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.

"I was hoping for a play-off at best [when I finished]. I was on the 17th green, left my putt just short, and looked over at Scottie on the 16th tee.

"A lot of people never thought I would win. I started believing this year, with a lot of help from a great team. I've got amazing people around me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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