Finishing with four consecutive bogeys, Australia's Adam Scott crumbled to a final-round 75 at Royal Lytham -- blowing a golden opportunity to win his first British Open title. Eventual winner Ernie Els had been six back at the start of the day -- "Big Easy" indeed.
Adam Scott (2012) —
Finishing with four consecutive bogeys, Australia's Adam Scott crumbled to a final-round 75 at Royal Lytham -- blowing a golden opportunity to win his first British Open title. Eventual winner Ernie Els had been six back at the start of the day -- "Big Easy" indeed.
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History eluded Tom Watson by a whisker as the 59-year-old missed out on equaling Harry Vardon's record of six Open titles and becoming the oldest ever winner. Having led the Championship with a single hole to play, a bogey on the 72nd preceded a series of wayward shots in the resultant playoff, as Watson was forced to concede the claret jug to fellow American Stewart Cink.
Tom Watson (2009) —
History eluded Tom Watson by a whisker as the 59-year-old missed out on equaling Harry Vardon's record of six Open titles and becoming the oldest ever winner. Having led the Championship with a single hole to play, a bogey on the 72nd preceded a series of wayward shots in the resultant playoff, as Watson was forced to concede the claret jug to fellow American Stewart Cink.
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A two to three foot putt away from greatness, the "Peacock of the Fairways" Doug Sanders seemed to have it all under control at St Andrews. One missed opportunity later, he appeared to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders -- losing out to Jack Nicklaus in a playoff the next day.
Doug Sanders (1970) —
A two to three foot putt away from greatness, the "Peacock of the Fairways" Doug Sanders seemed to have it all under control at St Andrews. One missed opportunity later, he appeared to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders -- losing out to Jack Nicklaus in a playoff the next day.
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Three shots clear with four to play, Bjorn looked all set to seal a third Open Championship victory. Did the pressure get to him? Taking <em>three </em>attempts just to get out of the bunker on the par-3 16th -- before a bogey on the 17th -- the Dane handed the title to the unheralded Ben Curtis.
Thomas Bjorn (2003) —
Three shots clear with four to play, Bjorn looked all set to seal a third Open Championship victory. Did the pressure get to him? Taking three attempts just to get out of the bunker on the par-3 16th -- before a bogey on the 17th -- the Dane handed the title to the unheralded Ben Curtis.
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And who could forget the unfortunate Frenchman, Jean van de Velde! Able to make a double bogey on the final hole and still win the Championship at Carnoustie, his name might as well have been etched on the trophy. Three shots later, he was hands-on-hips, barefoot in the Barry Burn river -- and the Gallows humor was not finished there! Hitting his fifth shot into a greenside bunker, the Frenchman had well and truly missed when it was easier to score. In most instances, nobody remembers the man that finished second; in Van de Velde's case, his meltdown defines him to this day.
Jean van de Velde (1999) —
And who could forget the unfortunate Frenchman, Jean van de Velde! Able to make a double bogey on the final hole and still win the Championship at Carnoustie, his name might as well have been etched on the trophy. Three shots later, he was hands-on-hips, barefoot in the Barry Burn river -- and the Gallows humor was not finished there! Hitting his fifth shot into a greenside bunker, the Frenchman had well and truly missed when it was easier to score. In most instances, nobody remembers the man that finished second; in Van de Velde's case, his meltdown defines him to this day.
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