LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) — Adam Scott, meet Jean Van de Velde. And Ed Sneed. And Phil Mickelson.
With a stunning meltdown, Scott gave away the claret jug Sunday and joined an infamous list of greatest collapses in golf history. The Aussie bogeyed the final four holes of the British Open to finish one stroke behind Ernie Els, who was almost apologetic about the way he won.
Scott missed a 7-foot putt at the final hole to force a playoff, then returned to the green to accept the runner-up prize. It was a painful blow after playing brilliantly during the first three days — especially when a birdie at the 14th hole gave him a four-stroke lead.
As Scott says, “I know I let a really great chance slip through my fingers.”
