THE COURSE:
Royal Lytham & St Annes. 7,118 yards par 70.
Location: Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, Lancashire, England.
Royal Lytham & St Annes staged its first Open Championship in 1926, twenty nine years after the current course was constructed. The original layout was the work on the clubs pro George Lowe. Between 1919 and 1923 Harry Colt, revered course designer of the time, was to develop the course further producing the layout that is enjoyed today.
"CHAMPION GOLFER OF THE YEAR"
A dramatic finish to the 141st Open Championship saw Ernie Els capture his 2nd Open Championship title and 4th Major. As the breeze picked up in the afternoon the course became a real test for the first time. Adam Scott, who held a four shot overnight lead, looked strong on the front nine and when he birdied the 14th to regain that four shot advantage the Claret Jug looked destined to be his.
A couple of holes ahead Ernie Els was putting together a great back nine, coming home in 32 for a round of 68 and a 7 under total. That finish from Els was enough to pressure Scott into mistakes and he dropped shots on 15, 16 and 17 leaving him needing a par at the last to force a playoff. His tee shot on 18 found a fairway bunker taking the green out of range. A great third shot left Scott with a 10ft putt to force the playoff but it narrowly missed on the low side. It was a heart-wrenching finish for Scott who was looking to land his 1st Major title. For Ernie Els the win is reward for his rededication to the game and his 4 Major titles raises his profile as one the game’s great champions.