Scott crumbles in 2012 British Open
Australian Adam Scott was poised to win the 2012 British Open Sunday, but then he bogeyed a hole, followed by another, and another, and…that’s right, four bogeys in a row. And just like that, the major fell into the hands of South African Ernie Els, who won by a single stroke when Scott couldn’t seal the deal with a putt on the eighteenth hole to force a playoff.
This marks Els’ second Open Championship victory, but today’s buzz is all about Scott’s choke, not Els’ comeback. Senior golf blogger for CBS Sports Will Brinson wrote, “…the memories of the Open Championship will primarily revolve around Adam Scott’s Van De Veldian meltdown as he bogeyed the final four holes to lose by a single stroke.”
Scott’s performance throughout the week was impressive, and he remained at the top of the leader board while his primary competition didn’t pose a threat. He held a four-stroke lead on Sunday with four holes left to play.
“I had it in my hands with four to go,” the 26-year-old Australian said when he spoke following his collapse on the eighteenth hole. “I’m very disappointed. I played so beautifully for most of the week.”
Scott sunk to the ground as his last chance at victory went just left of the hole, but quickly got to his feet to tap the ball in, while 42-year-old Els celebrated the unexpected victory, regardless of how it came about.
