LIKE the big man himself I can scarcely believe it. Ernie Els, Open champion 2012.
All day it looked Adam Scott's Claret Jug until the Big Easy birdied his final hole to set a target that proved too good in the end for the Aussie nearly man.
I tipped Els each-way at 45-1 at the start of play and I'd have settled for a place.
Scott's lead was never threatened until Els's birdie set a target of seven under. And then the Aussie crumbled with four bogeys to finish to leave our man the winner at the end of a dramatic day.
I just wish Scott's collapse had come sooner because I had wasted a few quid on savers when it became clear it was a two-horse race although I backed Els again after Scott's bogey at the short par-four 16th.
Graeme McDowall had a poor day and Tiger Woods couldn't hit a drive to save himself so it was left Els to mount a challenge – and what a challenge it was.
Meanwhile, William Hill go 25-1 about Els retaining his title at The Open at Muirfield next year.
Scott is the same price while Woods is 7-1 favourite but not worth backing on the evidence of Sunday.
Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood are all 14-1 to win the next Major, the PGA.
Open outrights: 7/1 Tiger Woods, 16/1 Lee Westwood, 16/1 Luke Donald, 16/1 Rory Mcilroy, 25/1 Padraig Harrington, 25/1 Graeme McDowell, 25/1 Ernie Els, 25/1 Adam Scott, 33/1 Justin Rose, 33/1 Phil Mickleson, 33/1 Rickie Fowler, 33/1 Zach Johnson, 40/1 Sergio Garcia, 40/1 Francesco Molinari, 40/1 Martin Kaymer, 40/1 Ian Poulter, 40/1 Louis Oosthuizen, 50/1 Jason Dufner, 50/1 Dustin Johnson, 50/1 Jim Furyk, 50/1 Hunter Mahan, 50/1 Matt Kuchar, 50/1 Paul Lawrie, 50/1 Bubba Watson, 50/1 Brandt Snedeker.
In December 2020 we sadly 
I’m celebrating with u on this one Paul,big Ernie was one of my 5 e/w’s. Feel terrible for Scott tho,that can ruin a career
Jonathan, I think Scott is young enough and good enough to bounce back. He didn’t do that much wrong even at the end on what was a tough finish.
I hope ur right,I just worry about the hounding that he’ll get from the press,they won’t let him forget this in a hurry. Hopefully he’ll react the way McIlroy did after last year’s Masters and win the next one
Jonathan, being a laidback Aussie who lives in the States he’ll probably escape a hounding. But like McIlroy I’ll reckon he’ll land one soon and could be worth backing in the next couple.
Nice pick both of u!! Really like els so happy for him. Scott seems decent guy too, pity about his caddy tho!!
Cheers Joe,I’m not a big Steve Williams fan either