The storylines coming into the 2012 British Open were the usual ones -- Tiger Woods was predicted to win, with a handful of other guys coming in as close seconds. This year in Golf has proven that anything can happen at a Major though, and Ernie Els took advantage of it after a late meltdown by Aussie Adam Scott provided the groundwork.
Scott had performed wonderfully through the first several days and found himself up four strokes with four holes to go. Unfortunately, the Aussie wouldn't win his first ever Major after bogeying three straight holes and then missing a seven-foot putt that would have put him into a playoff. All that Els had to do was play efficient golf and watch the meltdown before being presented with the Claret Jug.
It was the fourth title win of Els' career, and the second British Open.
Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, also favored players coming into the Open, both had bad showings. Mickelson was out by the first cut and Watson was only able to finish 2-over, putting him in a tie for 23rd place. Tiger Woods, the favorite from the beginning, had an awful triple bogey late in the tournament to put him out -- he ended in a tie for third place with a 3-under score.
Cleveland native Jason Dufner made the cut but had a mediocre time of it at the Open, finishing in a tie for 31st place with a 3-over scoreline.
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