The British Open Just Saw One Of The Worst Collapses In Golf History

Adam Scott started the day four strokes up on the field, and seven up on Ernie Els. But a brutal finish, combined with a great day from Els, made for a result that no one expected.

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LYTHAM ST ANNES, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Adam Scott of Australia reacts to a missed par putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club.

Ernie Els has won major championships in three different decades, and the 2012 British Open gives him his fourth. But to get there, he had to pass his "good buddy" Adam Scott, who started the day four up on the field and seven on Els.

Scott, who had three bogeys on the front nine, finished with four straight on 15, 16, 17, and 18 to shoot 75 on the day. He then missed a very makable putt for par on 18 that would've put him into a playoff with Els, pushing it just wide. The four straight bogeys to close out the tournament make this one of the worst collapses in golf history, up there with Greg Norman's 78 final round at the 1996 Masters and Jean Van de Velde's triple-bogey on the 18th hole at the 1999 British Open.

Here's video of Scott's last hole. Go to 4:00 for his missed game-tying putt.

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Meanwhile, Tiger Woods notched a triple-bogey of his own earlier in the day, which he started one stroke ahead of eventual champion Els. Woods finished tied for third with Brandt Snedeker, at -3. Here's video of his triple.

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