0:00:00 > 0:00:00GOLF: THE STORY OF THE OPEN SPT G584J/01 BRD000000
3:32:17 > 3:32:24.
3:32:29 > 3:32:31I remember the weather, and how we got over it.
3:32:31 > 3:32:36One man's meltdown and another man's triumph.
3:32:36 > 3:32:39A massive heartbreak for one of the game's greatest players.
3:32:41 > 3:32:43The defining moment of my career.
3:32:45 > 3:32:48Great experience. I had an absolute blast.
3:32:48 > 3:32:50I just think about a great test of golf.
3:32:50 > 3:32:53The renaissance of Ernie Els, really.
3:32:53 > 3:32:57I will never, ever forget that feeling when that putt went in.
3:32:57 > 3:32:59Golf's never over till it's over.
3:33:00 > 3:33:03The Links land of northwest England,
3:33:03 > 3:33:06venue for the 141st Open Championship.
3:33:06 > 3:33:09Once again, Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club
3:33:09 > 3:33:11welcome the game's oldest major.
3:33:13 > 3:33:17And Darren Clarke, such an emotional winner at Royal St George's,
3:33:17 > 3:33:21began his week by handing back the Claret Jug.
3:33:21 > 3:33:24I've had a wonderful year as Open Champion.
3:33:24 > 3:33:25I've enjoyed being Open Champion.
3:33:25 > 3:33:28You know, I've been very pleased and privileged
3:33:28 > 3:33:30to take the Claret Jug to a lot of places round the world
3:33:30 > 3:33:31where it's never been before.
3:33:31 > 3:33:35The little box that you get with it, the secure box,
3:33:35 > 3:33:37has got more stickers on it than it's probably ever had.
3:33:37 > 3:33:39So it's done a lot of air miles this year.
3:33:39 > 3:33:41Thank you for looking after the trophy for us.
3:33:41 > 3:33:42There's a few little marks on it...
3:33:42 > 3:33:44Well, we'll soon put those right!
3:33:44 > 3:33:47'He's represented the R&A and the Open Championship extremely well.'
3:33:47 > 3:33:50I mean, he's travelled with the Claret Jug
3:33:50 > 3:33:53and shown it around the world, everywhere he's gone.
3:33:53 > 3:33:55I suspect it's been in a few bars
3:33:55 > 3:33:58and he's probably slept with it at his bedside and so on.
3:33:58 > 3:34:01I don't know that we've ever had a champion quite as...
3:34:01 > 3:34:02can I use the word "chuffed"?
3:34:02 > 3:34:04..as Darren was to be Open Champion.
3:34:04 > 3:34:08And of course, the crowd at Royal St George's just lapped it up
3:34:08 > 3:34:11and...he was the people's champion.
3:34:12 > 3:34:17On home turf, a strong English challenge was expected.
3:34:17 > 3:34:20Lee Westwood and Luke Donald were heavily fancied to break through,
3:34:20 > 3:34:24after a spell in major championships where no-one player had dominated.
3:34:27 > 3:34:30No-one's really come through and started to win consistently,
3:34:30 > 3:34:34which just speaks to how difficult it is to win majors.
3:34:34 > 3:34:37Tiger Woods had captured 14 major titles,
3:34:37 > 3:34:41but none since the 2008 US Open.
3:34:41 > 3:34:44Did you ever feel a sense of anxiety over when, or if,
3:34:44 > 3:34:46the next one is coming?
3:34:46 > 3:34:49No. No. I just try to...
3:34:49 > 3:34:50try and put myself there.
3:34:50 > 3:34:53And I think if I continue putting myself there,
3:34:53 > 3:34:56you know, enough times, then I'll win major championships.
3:34:58 > 3:35:03At 6.30 on Thursday morning, Barry Lane, a 52-year-old qualifier,
3:35:03 > 3:35:06had the honour of hitting the championship's first shot.
3:35:06 > 3:35:11It was just a really, really nice atmosphere.
3:35:11 > 3:35:13The weather was a little bit chilly, a bit drizzly, first thing.
3:35:13 > 3:35:15A little bit of wind.
3:35:15 > 3:35:16I got a few butterflies,
3:35:16 > 3:35:19but I just, you know, just focused on trying to hit a good shot.
3:35:23 > 3:35:26I managed to hit a pretty good tee shot onto the green.
3:35:26 > 3:35:29It was a great honour. I just wanted to thank him.
3:35:29 > 3:35:33It's obviously the only open course where you start with a par 3.
3:35:33 > 3:35:37It's not, you can just bunk it down there somewhere short of the bunkers
3:35:37 > 3:35:38and play the hole conservative,
3:35:38 > 3:35:41you've just got to hit a very, very good shot.
3:35:43 > 3:35:47Three hours and 12 minutes later, Woods did precisely that.
3:35:49 > 3:35:51APPLAUSE
3:35:53 > 3:35:56It led to an immediate birdie,
3:35:56 > 3:35:59and he was 4-under after 7.
3:35:59 > 3:36:02CHEERING
3:36:02 > 3:36:04That was as good as it got, though.
3:36:04 > 3:36:07Despite a short game masterclass,
3:36:07 > 3:36:10Tiger had to be content with a 67.
3:36:10 > 3:36:12APPLAUSE
3:36:14 > 3:36:18Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open Champion at Carnoustie,
3:36:18 > 3:36:22chipped in twice during a run of three consecutive birdies.
3:36:22 > 3:36:25APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
3:36:25 > 3:36:27He signed for a 65.
3:36:33 > 3:36:37Westwood could not have wished for a better start.
3:36:39 > 3:36:41He birdied the first two holes
3:36:41 > 3:36:43but played the back 9 poorly for a 73.
3:36:43 > 3:36:46APPLAUSE
3:36:46 > 3:36:51Game 15 contained three major champions and two of them
3:36:51 > 3:36:53lived up to their reputations.
3:36:53 > 3:36:56CHEERING
3:36:56 > 3:36:58Ernie Els finished the day with a 67.
3:36:58 > 3:37:01APPLAUSE
3:37:01 > 3:37:05Darren Clarke's poor form continued.
3:37:05 > 3:37:09He shot 76, but nothing could dilute the warm applause
3:37:09 > 3:37:12from those in the grandstands on the 18th.
3:37:12 > 3:37:15APPLAUSE
3:37:17 > 3:37:20Pick of the bunch was American Zach Johnson,
3:37:20 > 3:37:22who managed seven birdies in a 65.
3:37:22 > 3:37:25APPLAUSE
3:37:31 > 3:37:35On this day, though, Adam Scott was inspired,
3:37:35 > 3:37:37moving 5-under through 14.
3:37:37 > 3:37:42APPLAUSE
3:37:42 > 3:37:45The best swing, from my memory, was the second shot into 15th.
3:37:47 > 3:37:51It just felt like that perfect swing you put on the range
3:37:51 > 3:37:53that's so hard to take to the course.
3:37:53 > 3:37:57APPLAUSE
3:37:59 > 3:38:02It was a lovely shot, and rolled the putt in
3:38:02 > 3:38:05to keep everything going in the right direction.
3:38:08 > 3:38:12Scott's 3 was followed by this approach to the 16th,
3:38:12 > 3:38:14which led to another birdie.
3:38:14 > 3:38:18Scott was 7-under-par and flirting with history.
3:38:22 > 3:38:25A quick second there, I did the maths and I'm fully aware
3:38:25 > 3:38:27that a 62 hadn't been shot in a major,
3:38:27 > 3:38:29and thought about it for a second,
3:38:29 > 3:38:32which is something you don't want to think about any longer than that.
3:38:32 > 3:38:35Unfortunately, I just stumbled on the last.
3:38:38 > 3:38:41Scott equalled the course record with a 64.
3:38:41 > 3:38:44APPLAUSE
3:38:45 > 3:38:48I'd never shot that low a score in a major before.
3:38:48 > 3:38:52I'm thrilled. It's a perfect start to the tournament.
3:38:53 > 3:38:57Having missed the cut on his three previous trips to the Open,
3:38:57 > 3:39:00American Brandt Snedeker solved the mystery of Links golf
3:39:00 > 3:39:04with an opening 66.
3:39:04 > 3:39:09On course for the same score was 23-year-old Rory McIlroy.
3:39:11 > 3:39:17But on the 15th, McIlroy's drive flared right,
3:39:17 > 3:39:21struck a spectator on the head and flew out of bounds.
3:39:22 > 3:39:25Are you OK?
3:39:25 > 3:39:26He was getting into trouble.
3:39:26 > 3:39:29He was getting into trouble and he was getting out of trouble.
3:39:29 > 3:39:31And I think that's what we really love about him.
3:39:34 > 3:39:36He grounded out in the end,
3:39:36 > 3:39:39and then came in with a 67, which was fabulous.
3:39:39 > 3:39:40He got himself into position.
3:39:43 > 3:39:45CHEERING
3:39:45 > 3:39:49McIlroy would birdie two of the closing three holes.
3:39:55 > 3:40:00In contrast, world number one, Luke Donald bogeyed the 18th
3:40:00 > 3:40:01for a level par round of 70.
3:40:12 > 3:40:15Joining Lawrie and Johnson in a tie for second
3:40:15 > 3:40:17was Belgium's Nicholas Colsaerts.
3:40:19 > 3:40:24On the 17th, not even a fairway bunker derailed him.
3:40:24 > 3:40:26It's always great when you hit a shot like that
3:40:26 > 3:40:30and you come racing out of the bunker and you know it's come out good.
3:40:30 > 3:40:33It was just coming out exactly where I wanted it to be.
3:40:36 > 3:40:3965 at the Open is more than good.
3:40:39 > 3:40:43But not enough to prevent Adam Scott being the outright
3:40:43 > 3:40:46first-round leader, following a day of excellent scoring.
3:40:53 > 3:40:56Heavy overnight rain saturated the course for day two.
3:40:57 > 3:41:01There were genuine concerns play would be delayed.
3:41:01 > 3:41:06But the tireless work of the green staff ensured no disruption.
3:41:06 > 3:41:10Wind remained absent, but Royal Lytham is formidable,
3:41:10 > 3:41:12whatever the weather.
3:41:12 > 3:41:15Nicholas Colsaerts, one of the first leaders in action,
3:41:15 > 3:41:18bogeyed two of the opening three holes,
3:41:18 > 3:41:20but worse was to come.
3:41:20 > 3:41:22On the 7th, I basically did
3:41:22 > 3:41:27everything you need to avoid at Lytham.
3:41:27 > 3:41:30I hit a drive down a pot bunker, hacked it out, maybe 10 yards,
3:41:30 > 3:41:31then I was right in between
3:41:31 > 3:41:34playing just short of the green or going for it.
3:41:34 > 3:41:36Went for it, missed that one,
3:41:36 > 3:41:40it went right, missed the next one.
3:41:43 > 3:41:45Ended up in the total rough.
3:41:45 > 3:41:47It was just basically nowhere to be seen.
3:41:47 > 3:41:50Lifted in the rough,
3:41:50 > 3:41:52hit it over the green, got it up and down for eight.
3:41:55 > 3:41:57APPLAUSE
3:42:01 > 3:42:03Funnily enough, I've got a smile on my face,
3:42:03 > 3:42:05because I know I've just done everything wrong.
3:42:05 > 3:42:07It's not like I've just missed, you know, half a shot.
3:42:07 > 3:42:09I've missed everything.
3:42:12 > 3:42:16In a different sense, Rory McIlroy also missed everything.
3:42:16 > 3:42:18And...everyone,
3:42:18 > 3:42:21on a day of wild inconsistency.
3:42:26 > 3:42:29Early on, the bad was often followed by the good.
3:42:33 > 3:42:35APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
3:42:35 > 3:42:38But his hopes began to unravel on the 9th.
3:42:39 > 3:42:41No!
3:42:45 > 3:42:48There was an element there of the very young player
3:42:48 > 3:42:51who still has a bit to learn, which suggested that, you know,
3:42:51 > 3:42:53he still has to learn a bit of patience
3:42:53 > 3:42:58when it comes to Open Championships, or major championships in general.
3:42:58 > 3:43:02Within a year, he'll probably have a Grand Slam, you know,
3:43:02 > 3:43:04because he's that good. Who knows?
3:43:04 > 3:43:08But Friday morning's big story was Brandt Snedeker.
3:43:08 > 3:43:12Already 1-under for the round, as he arrived on the 6th green.
3:43:12 > 3:43:15Yeah, it was just one of those putts you're just going to get close.
3:43:15 > 3:43:16Up over a ridge, going downhill.
3:43:16 > 3:43:18I figured within three feet, I was happy.
3:43:18 > 3:43:20I hit one of those putts and when you're putting good,
3:43:20 > 3:43:23those long ones always seem to find their way on the right line,
3:43:23 > 3:43:26and then about five feet from the hole, I think I started walking.
3:43:26 > 3:43:28CHEERING
3:43:28 > 3:43:30To make that one really got the momentum going.
3:43:30 > 3:43:31"OK, today's going to be a good day."
3:43:35 > 3:43:37I was able to get a good birdie on 9,
3:43:37 > 3:43:41I hit a 9-iron about four feet on 9, made birdie there.
3:43:41 > 3:43:43CHEERING
3:43:46 > 3:43:4811, you know, I hit a nice wedge in there,
3:43:48 > 3:43:49about a 20-footer.
3:43:51 > 3:43:53Made that one.
3:43:56 > 3:43:59And at this time, I thought every putt was going in.
3:43:59 > 3:44:01Snedeker was round in 64,
3:44:01 > 3:44:05and reached the halfway mark of the championship 10-under.
3:44:05 > 3:44:10Playing with intelligence, not tempted to attack the flanks.
3:44:10 > 3:44:12That was my game plan. Just put it in the middle of the greens,
3:44:12 > 3:44:14because the bunkers are waiting there for a reason.
3:44:14 > 3:44:17They're penalties, so try and shoot away from them.
3:44:17 > 3:44:18And I did that, you know.
3:44:18 > 3:44:21I think I hit 31 of the first 36 greens or something like that.
3:44:21 > 3:44:23To have that kind of run where you feel like
3:44:23 > 3:44:24you can do no wrong was a lot of fun.
3:44:24 > 3:44:29Out in the afternoon, Adam Scott's front-9 was uneventful,
3:44:29 > 3:44:32but his round was kick-started on the 10th.
3:44:37 > 3:44:40CHEERING
3:44:46 > 3:44:52Scott also birdied the 11th and 18th, in a back-9 of 33,
3:44:52 > 3:44:54his golf far more accurate
3:44:54 > 3:44:56than his definition of "spectacular."
3:44:58 > 3:45:00To fight back and shoot 67,
3:45:00 > 3:45:03without doing anything...
3:45:03 > 3:45:04spectacular,
3:45:04 > 3:45:07showed that my game was in good shape
3:45:07 > 3:45:11and I kept myself right in touch with the leader, which was important.
3:45:11 > 3:45:13CHEERING
3:45:17 > 3:45:20Scott spent his first 36 holes in the company
3:45:20 > 3:45:24of Northern Ireland's Alan Dunbar, the reigning amateur champion.
3:45:26 > 3:45:30Dunbar shot 71 in the second round, but missed the cut
3:45:30 > 3:45:34and with it, the opportunity to win the silver medal.
3:45:34 > 3:45:37The experience, however, was invaluable.
3:45:37 > 3:45:41We only had two amateurs this year. They both got good draws.
3:45:41 > 3:45:43I hope they enjoyed the experience.
3:45:43 > 3:45:46I know Alan did, because I went to see him
3:45:46 > 3:45:50as soon as he finished his 36 holes and he'd loved the experience.
3:45:50 > 3:45:55He's a wonderful golfer and I think played with great credit, actually.
3:45:55 > 3:45:57I said, "I really hope you enjoyed it and I know we'll be
3:45:57 > 3:46:00"seeing more of you in the future and we look forward to it."
3:46:03 > 3:46:05Adding youth to the leaderboard
3:46:05 > 3:46:07was a 22-year-old Dane.
3:46:07 > 3:46:09CHEERING
3:46:09 > 3:46:12Thorbjorn Olesen won his first event
3:46:12 > 3:46:15on the European Tour three months earlier
3:46:15 > 3:46:16and his confidence shone through
3:46:16 > 3:46:18on the way to a 66.
3:46:19 > 3:46:21- MAN:- Get up! Get up!
3:46:24 > 3:46:26CHEERING
3:46:26 > 3:46:28Olesen entertained as,
3:46:28 > 3:46:30of course, did Tiger.
3:46:33 > 3:46:36He came to the 18th 5-under, very much in the hunt,
3:46:36 > 3:46:39his every move the centre of attention.
3:46:41 > 3:46:43Oh, went off to the left.
3:46:45 > 3:46:47- CROWD:- Aww!
3:46:47 > 3:46:50He's still the biggest draw. He's compelling for other reasons.
3:46:50 > 3:46:54There's still no-one more fun to watch. It's that simple.
3:46:54 > 3:46:58Other players might post better scores, they're winning tournaments,
3:46:58 > 3:47:01but he's capable of doing things
3:47:01 > 3:47:02that others aren't.
3:47:02 > 3:47:05Just those little, special, end-of-the-day moments.
3:47:05 > 3:47:07That's why they can't take their eyes off him.
3:47:10 > 3:47:12CHEERING
3:47:15 > 3:47:18It's a fantastic thing to see, you know, when Tiger pulls off a
3:47:18 > 3:47:22shot like that and, particularly, at that moment, at that place.
3:47:24 > 3:47:26That's Tiger. I mean, you just expect that from Tiger.
3:47:26 > 3:47:30We haven't for a couple of years. We're starting to see more of it.
3:47:30 > 3:47:33But usually, when you see things like that, you're thinking,
3:47:33 > 3:47:35"Boy, it's his week, isn't it?"
3:47:35 > 3:47:37CHEERING
3:47:37 > 3:47:41Tiger is one of a very small, select bunch that produces that
3:47:41 > 3:47:45kind of moment that you take away as a memory.
3:47:47 > 3:47:50Another is the great Tom Watson,
3:47:50 > 3:47:54who needed to birdie the 18th to make the cut at the age of 62.
3:47:57 > 3:47:59He thought that he'd missed out,
3:47:59 > 3:48:02but he still gave one of those moments.
3:48:04 > 3:48:06He always produces something at The Open.
3:48:06 > 3:48:08Great favourite with the crowds.
3:48:13 > 3:48:15CHEERING
3:48:15 > 3:48:19The five-time Open champion was through to the weekend.
3:48:22 > 3:48:25You know, Tom's the guy that I grew up idolising
3:48:25 > 3:48:29and love the way he swung the golf club, the way he played golf, the
3:48:29 > 3:48:32way he handled himself on the golf course and the way he won and lost.
3:48:32 > 3:48:34It's a wealth of knowledge. The first thing he says is,
3:48:34 > 3:48:37"You've got to get over here and have a great time.
3:48:37 > 3:48:40"If you don't have a great time, you won't have any success."
3:48:40 > 3:48:43Watson's wisdom didn't fall on deaf ears.
3:48:43 > 3:48:48Snedeker's 130 strokes equalled the lowest 36 hole total
3:48:48 > 3:48:51in the history of the championship.
3:48:51 > 3:48:53This year, I did my best job with doing that, in trying to
3:48:53 > 3:48:56heed his advice and enjoy it, embrace it.
3:48:56 > 3:48:58Going to a local pub, seeing the people, having a few
3:48:58 > 3:49:01pints at night, eating the local food and having a great time. You know?
3:49:01 > 3:49:04Really embracing what the British Open really means.
3:49:04 > 3:49:07Pretty neat moment to see your name on top of that leaderboard.
3:49:07 > 3:49:09APPLAUSE
3:49:09 > 3:49:13As Snedeker led by only one from Scott, Tiger was in third,
3:49:13 > 3:49:17just ahead of McDowell, with Els seven behind the leader.
3:49:21 > 3:49:23Day three was blessed with sunshine.
3:49:23 > 3:49:25Conditions were ideal
3:49:25 > 3:49:30and a young Dane was about to fulfil a long-held ambition.
3:49:30 > 3:49:35Thorbjorn Olesen had earned the dream draw,
3:49:35 > 3:49:37a round with his childhood hero.
3:49:39 > 3:49:42I always wanted to play with Tiger.
3:49:42 > 3:49:46It's been a dream for me since I was ten years old, or something.
3:49:46 > 3:49:48I think that was the first time I saw him.
3:49:48 > 3:49:52To get the opportunity to actually play with him was fantastic.
3:49:55 > 3:49:58I don't think I've ever been that nervous on the first tee.
3:49:58 > 3:50:01It was just like when you warming up and it was difficult.
3:50:01 > 3:50:04All the movement, you could just feel it in the ground, almost.
3:50:07 > 3:50:09It's good when you're nervous, I think.
3:50:10 > 3:50:13Salvaging par on the opening hole
3:50:13 > 3:50:15was a good way for Olesen
3:50:15 > 3:50:17to settle down.
3:50:17 > 3:50:20'I just tried to really focus on my own game.'
3:50:20 > 3:50:23Hit a great par on the 1st, that really helped me.
3:50:25 > 3:50:28Tiger was also scrambling for par.
3:50:35 > 3:50:39He bogeyed the 3rd as well, and Olesen had overtaken his idol.
3:50:42 > 3:50:46Adam Scott could have stumbled early in the round,
3:50:46 > 3:50:48but his putter came to the rescue.
3:50:49 > 3:50:51Saves are always crucial in a big tournament.
3:50:51 > 3:50:54They keep the momentum going if you're going in the right
3:50:54 > 3:51:00direction and, certainly, making a couple of putts early was important.
3:51:00 > 3:51:02CHEERING
3:51:02 > 3:51:05That was a great start to that round.
3:51:05 > 3:51:09The galleries massed around the Tiger-Olesen match
3:51:09 > 3:51:12and on the sixth, the world number two clicked into gear.
3:51:16 > 3:51:17CROWD MURMUR
3:51:17 > 3:51:20CHEERING
3:51:20 > 3:51:22He also birdied the 7th,
3:51:22 > 3:51:24where he witnessed the extraordinary
3:51:24 > 3:51:26escape from the battling Olesen.
3:51:30 > 3:51:32APPLAUSE
3:51:37 > 3:51:40A crucial birdie maintained his presence on the leaderboard
3:51:40 > 3:51:41at 3-under.
3:51:41 > 3:51:43APPLAUSE
3:51:45 > 3:51:48Two holes later, though, Woods put daylight between them.
3:51:52 > 3:51:55When he birdied the 9th, Tiger stood 7-under.
3:51:59 > 3:52:01After 40 holes without a blemish,
3:52:01 > 3:52:04Brandt Snedeker made his first
3:52:04 > 3:52:06bogey of the championship on the short 5th.
3:52:08 > 3:52:11Having steered clear of all 206 bunkers at Royal Lytham
3:52:11 > 3:52:15on Thursday and Friday, he finally succumbed on the 6th
3:52:15 > 3:52:18and dropped another shot at the 8th.
3:52:19 > 3:52:21'As great as the first 40 holes were, or whatever it was,
3:52:21 > 3:52:23'you're going to have a stretch of nine holes
3:52:23 > 3:52:26'where you don't play good. I don't care what anybody says.'
3:52:26 > 3:52:28I was fully expecting that and prepared for it.
3:52:28 > 3:52:30I was not under any illusion that I was going to
3:52:30 > 3:52:32play 72 holes of perfect golf, cos it ain't going to happen.
3:52:35 > 3:52:39Playing partner Scott took charge of the championship.
3:52:39 > 3:52:41CHEERING
3:52:41 > 3:52:43He parred the first six holes,
3:52:43 > 3:52:46then birdied the 7th and 8th.
3:52:46 > 3:52:48And when Snedeker bogeyed the 9th,
3:52:48 > 3:52:51the Australian's lead swelled to 4.
3:52:55 > 3:52:59Zach Johnson fought back into contention with a 66,
3:52:59 > 3:53:01the lowest score of the day.
3:53:03 > 3:53:05APPLAUSE
3:53:09 > 3:53:11Having found sand, Scott had
3:53:11 > 3:53:14an up and down on the 10th, to salvage a par.
3:53:16 > 3:53:20'The save on 10 was huge in the scheme of things.
3:53:20 > 3:53:22'I hit a pretty poor wedge shot in there,'
3:53:22 > 3:53:25left myself not an easy putt from above the hole.
3:53:28 > 3:53:30'Just dropped in the front and that was a big boost.
3:53:30 > 3:53:34'It was a confidence builder, that par save.'
3:53:34 > 3:53:37While the game plan of many was to keep their driver in the bag,
3:53:37 > 3:53:41Scott used it often and well.
3:53:41 > 3:53:43'I'm a good driver of the golf ball.
3:53:43 > 3:53:45'I believe that's one of my strengths in my game
3:53:45 > 3:53:48'and I felt Lytham was a perfect
3:53:48 > 3:53:50'opportunity to use that.
3:53:50 > 3:53:53'I didn't think it was an aggressive play or a risk.'
3:53:53 > 3:53:56You know, I think the strategy was good for me.
3:53:56 > 3:53:57I was playing to my strengths.
3:53:58 > 3:54:00So was Ernie Els.
3:54:00 > 3:54:03A round of 68 left him six adrift of Scott.
3:54:05 > 3:54:07CHEERING
3:54:09 > 3:54:11Playing really well from tee to green
3:54:11 > 3:54:14And I did that in my previous two Opens at Lytham
3:54:14 > 3:54:16and I felt I was really solid from tee to green.
3:54:16 > 3:54:18I was hitting good putts,
3:54:18 > 3:54:20but they weren't quite dropping.
3:54:23 > 3:54:24- CROWD:- Oh!
3:54:24 > 3:54:27'I've been working on being a bit more patient,
3:54:27 > 3:54:29'like I used to be when I was in my 20s.'
3:54:29 > 3:54:31So it was just waiting for some putts to fall.
3:54:35 > 3:54:37Halfway through his third round, Graeme McDowell was
3:54:37 > 3:54:41stuck on 4-under and in danger of becoming detached.
3:54:42 > 3:54:43APPLAUSE
3:54:43 > 3:54:46I remember that back then on Saturday, I really did
3:54:46 > 3:54:49feel like I clicked into a different level.
3:54:49 > 3:54:53I was able to make a little bit of a late charge to be the guy
3:54:53 > 3:54:55that maybe had a chance to look at him in the eye
3:54:55 > 3:54:57on Sunday afternoon.
3:54:57 > 3:54:59CHEERING
3:54:59 > 3:55:01The putter was just in the groove
3:55:01 > 3:55:03and, at that point, I thought, "Here we go."
3:55:04 > 3:55:08Three birdies in five holes resurrected McDowell's championship.
3:55:10 > 3:55:12'It really was just controlling the golf ball the way
3:55:12 > 3:55:14'I wanted to be controlling it.'
3:55:14 > 3:55:16I couldn't have played those last six or seven holes any better.
3:55:19 > 3:55:20CHEERING
3:55:20 > 3:55:24I guess the Donalds and the Westwoods and the Rory McIlroys
3:55:24 > 3:55:27and the real home-grown stars were just kind of not firing
3:55:27 > 3:55:29and I seemed to be the guy that was putting
3:55:29 > 3:55:33myself on the leaderboard and they got right behind me.
3:55:33 > 3:55:35APPLAUSE
3:55:35 > 3:55:37'I felt great coming off the course.
3:55:37 > 3:55:39'Got myself into the last group with Adam on Sunday
3:55:39 > 3:55:41'and felt ready to go.'
3:55:45 > 3:55:47Over the course of the back nine,
3:55:47 > 3:55:49Tiger lost his momentum.
3:55:50 > 3:55:53But a 70 kept him in the picture at 6-under.
3:55:58 > 3:56:00APPLAUSE
3:56:00 > 3:56:04He's a fantastic player and I was still amazed at the shots
3:56:04 > 3:56:06he hit and the way he played.
3:56:07 > 3:56:10I had a chance to shoot a better score than him,
3:56:10 > 3:56:13but he still beat me by one nothing.
3:56:14 > 3:56:19Snedeker signed for a 73, but his smile remained and, what happened
3:56:19 > 3:56:21on the 18th green ensured the
3:56:21 > 3:56:24feel-good factor carried into Sunday.
3:56:24 > 3:56:26I'd watched that putt on 18 a couple of times
3:56:26 > 3:56:28and seen how much guys were under-reading it
3:56:28 > 3:56:31and it was breaking off the charge to the right and so I made myself
3:56:31 > 3:56:33play a couple of extra inches of break
3:56:33 > 3:56:35and I thought I hit it way too high.
3:56:41 > 3:56:43'It was a good way to end the day.
3:56:43 > 3:56:45'A day where I hadn't made any putts
3:56:45 > 3:56:48'and really struggled from tee to green and I needed one.'
3:56:48 > 3:56:50It was a long day, you know?
3:56:50 > 3:56:53It was one of those days where anything at that point was welcome.
3:56:53 > 3:56:54APPLAUSE
3:56:56 > 3:56:58Scott didn't match Snedeker's birdie,
3:56:58 > 3:57:02but a round of 68 meant a commanding four-shot lead.
3:57:03 > 3:57:06With the most important round of his life ahead,
3:57:06 > 3:57:10Scott was on the cusp of joining Peter Thomson, Greg Norman,
3:57:10 > 3:57:14Kel Nagle and Ian Baker-Finch as an Australian winner of The Open.
3:57:17 > 3:57:21On 11-under, he led by four, but with the menacing presence
3:57:21 > 3:57:26of Woods and Els in striking distance, Scott wouldn't sleep easy.
3:57:32 > 3:57:36The final day of the 2012 Open saw benign conditions
3:57:36 > 3:57:39replaced by the first stiff breeze of the championship.
3:57:39 > 3:57:41Adam Scott, though, was calm.
3:57:41 > 3:57:43All the best, Adam.
3:57:43 > 3:57:47Waking up at eight o'clock and having to wait till two to play,
3:57:47 > 3:57:51I think I used all my nerves before I'd even gotten to the golf course.
3:57:52 > 3:57:56Much excitement surrounded the arrival of the contenders.
3:57:58 > 3:58:00- YOUNG GIRL:- Hi, Tiger!
3:58:00 > 3:58:01LAUGHTER
3:58:01 > 3:58:04But under the radar slipped a three-time major champion,
3:58:04 > 3:58:08quietly determined to end ten years in the wilderness.
3:58:08 > 3:58:11You played great yesterday, Ernie. How excited are you now...?
3:58:11 > 3:58:14'He's such a great player when the conditions get hard.'
3:58:14 > 3:58:16He knew the wind was going to blow on Sunday
3:58:16 > 3:58:20and I think that was what he wanted, you know?
3:58:20 > 3:58:23Especially as far back as we were, to give us a chance.
3:58:24 > 3:58:27For the chasers in need of encouragement,
3:58:27 > 3:58:29a door opened on the 1st.
3:58:29 > 3:58:31Scott dropped a shot
3:58:31 > 3:58:34and his playing partner McDowell sensed an opportunity.
3:58:36 > 3:58:39All of a sudden, I'm thinking, "I'll get this putt,
3:58:39 > 3:58:42"just to start turning the screw a little bit here."
3:58:44 > 3:58:46And it was nice, making that putt
3:58:46 > 3:58:49and walking off to the 2nd tee box, thinking,
3:58:49 > 3:58:52"Great, this is exactly what I wanted. This is the start I need."
3:58:56 > 3:59:00But Scott's response could not have been more emphatic.
3:59:00 > 3:59:03The Australian set up a birdie on the 2nd,
3:59:03 > 3:59:06and despite dropping another shot on the 3rd,
3:59:06 > 3:59:08didn't lose composure.
3:59:10 > 3:59:13The bogeys early didn't rattle me too much.
3:59:13 > 3:59:16Again, I was hitting good shots.
3:59:16 > 3:59:18They just didn't quite pan out for me.
3:59:18 > 3:59:21And no-one had come charging out of the blocks either,
3:59:21 > 3:59:24so there was no need to panic yet.
3:59:25 > 3:59:28As always, Tiger was creative.
3:59:29 > 3:59:32APPLAUSE
3:59:34 > 3:59:37Playing alongside him in the penultimate group,
3:59:37 > 3:59:41Snedeker stayed 7-under with a battling 3 at the 5th.
3:59:42 > 3:59:45APPLAUSE
3:59:45 > 3:59:48The man from Tennessee was refusing to buckle.
3:59:54 > 3:59:56Ernie Els bogeyed the 2nd,
3:59:56 > 4:00:00and four holes later was staring at the prospect of another,
4:00:00 > 4:00:02until saved by his short game touch.
4:00:02 > 4:00:06APPLAUSE
4:00:10 > 4:00:14Off at 9:25, Nicolas Colsaerts was an early starter.
4:00:14 > 4:00:16His golf would be outstanding.
4:00:18 > 4:00:20APPLAUSE
4:00:23 > 4:00:27Everything just felt very smooth
4:00:27 > 4:00:30and I was thinking very clearly on every shot.
4:00:32 > 4:00:35The Belgian had sprung from the pack with a 65
4:00:35 > 4:00:38to establish the clubhouse lead at 1-under.
4:00:41 > 4:00:43I got into the recording,
4:00:43 > 4:00:46and there was this guy in there who never smiled all week,
4:00:46 > 4:00:49and I handed him my scorecard, and he checks the numbers,
4:00:49 > 4:00:51looks at me, and goes...
4:00:52 > 4:00:54So I'm thinking...
4:00:54 > 4:00:59it was the first sign of a pretty good run of golf.
4:00:59 > 4:01:01I got my first top 10 in a major.
4:01:04 > 4:01:07While scoring was growing increasingly difficult,
4:01:07 > 4:01:09Colsaerts had set the benchmark.
4:01:11 > 4:01:13Scott led by 3.
4:01:13 > 4:01:17Snedeker was holding firm and Woods lurked with intent.
4:01:20 > 4:01:23On the 6th, Tiger had found the fairway.
4:01:26 > 4:01:28Oh, stay straight!
4:01:28 > 4:01:30Lucky.
4:01:30 > 4:01:31Lucky.
4:01:34 > 4:01:36- One yard.- Yes.
4:01:36 > 4:01:37'He had a great second shot,
4:01:37 > 4:01:39'and then the wind took it just a little bit late,'
4:01:39 > 4:01:41and he was in one of those bunkers,
4:01:41 > 4:01:43and it's just a complete crapshoot, those bunkers.
4:01:45 > 4:01:49- CROWD GROANS - We walked around every bunker at the beginning of the week, and said,
4:01:49 > 4:01:51"as long as you're in the middle of that bunker, you're OK."
4:01:51 > 4:01:54You're never in the middle, you're always up against the lips.
4:01:54 > 4:01:56He fought hard to get that ball out
4:01:56 > 4:01:58and he did great to get it out in two.
4:01:58 > 4:02:01APPLAUSE
4:02:01 > 4:02:03And then he kind of compounded his mistakes by 3-putt,
4:02:03 > 4:02:06and if he just makes double there and not triple,
4:02:06 > 4:02:09you lose a shot, you lose a couple of shots,
4:02:09 > 4:02:11that's going to happen, but triple is a killer.
4:02:11 > 4:02:14It's just tough to get that kind of break on Sunday.
4:02:15 > 4:02:18Woods plunged from 6- to 3-under,
4:02:18 > 4:02:21his title aspirations dealt a crippling blow.
4:02:25 > 4:02:29It was a fate about to be shared by Snedeker on the 7th.
4:02:34 > 4:02:36I couldn't believe what had happened.
4:02:36 > 4:02:38It was a swing you make and scratch your head and go, "What was that?
4:02:38 > 4:02:41"I've never seen that before, can't remember the last time I did that.
4:02:41 > 4:02:44"It is about as easy as it gets, what are you doing," you know?
4:02:44 > 4:02:46And it just crept up at the wrong time on Sunday.
4:02:46 > 4:02:48That is just what happens in majors.
4:02:48 > 4:02:50They examine every part of your game.
4:02:50 > 4:02:52As Snedeker ran up a seven,
4:02:52 > 4:02:56Woods displayed the mental steel for which he is renowned.
4:02:56 > 4:02:58APPLAUSE
4:02:58 > 4:03:01Tiger's ambitions were still just about alive,
4:03:01 > 4:03:05but Snedeker's died when another crooked tee shot on the 8th
4:03:05 > 4:03:08ended up a second successive double bogey.
4:03:10 > 4:03:12I hit a good shot down the right side,
4:03:12 > 4:03:14and the wind grabbed it and took it straight left on that bunker,
4:03:14 > 4:03:16and that's when you just can't hit it.
4:03:16 > 4:03:19Any time you double holes in majors, you're giving up way too many.
4:03:19 > 4:03:21You are double there, it's just a killer.
4:03:21 > 4:03:25McDowell had parred the 5th, but having missed the green,
4:03:25 > 4:03:28Scott faced a test of nerve to match his playing partner.
4:03:29 > 4:03:32APPLAUSE
4:03:35 > 4:03:38McDowell and Scott would bogey the 6th, but even so,
4:03:38 > 4:03:41Scott remained where he had been overnight -
4:03:41 > 4:03:444 shots clear and the man to beat.
4:03:50 > 4:03:55McDowell badly needed to apply pressure, and did so on the 8th.
4:03:55 > 4:03:58APPLAUSE
4:03:58 > 4:04:00Scott made only par,
4:04:00 > 4:04:03presenting the Ulsterman with a putt to close the gap.
4:04:05 > 4:04:08APPLAUSE
4:04:10 > 4:04:14After a slow start, McDowell was finally building momentum.
4:04:14 > 4:04:18Els, however, was in danger of surrendering it.
4:04:22 > 4:04:24The bogey on 9 was a very soft bogey. I mean,
4:04:24 > 4:04:269 is one of the easiest holes on Lytham,
4:04:26 > 4:04:30and I missed about an eight-footer there for par.
4:04:30 > 4:04:32I still felt I was in the game for some crazy reason.
4:04:32 > 4:04:35I just said, you know, I'm going to play this back now
4:04:35 > 4:04:38as aggressive and as hard as I can.
4:04:39 > 4:04:436 adrift of Scott, Els had slipped back to 3-under.
4:04:46 > 4:04:50APPLAUSE
4:04:50 > 4:04:52Although it was a shortish putt,
4:04:52 > 4:04:55those were the kind of putts that I had been missing.
4:04:57 > 4:04:59APPLAUSE
4:04:59 > 4:05:03'So, making the putt right in the middle with good speed,'
4:05:03 > 4:05:05it gave me so much confidence.
4:05:06 > 4:05:09Els parred the next before breathing even more life
4:05:09 > 4:05:12into his revival on the 12th.
4:05:16 > 4:05:18APPLAUSE
4:05:18 > 4:05:20It came out perfect. It came out on the breeze,
4:05:20 > 4:05:22up the bank, I mean, really close.
4:05:22 > 4:05:25It's one of those putts you should make in your sleep,
4:05:25 > 4:05:28but you know, under Open pressure, it's a whole different story.
4:05:31 > 4:05:36The story had taken a new twist. Els now trailed Scott by only 4.
4:05:38 > 4:05:43McDowell was 3 behind the leader, until the 9th.
4:05:44 > 4:05:47I pulled the wrong club, probably. You know, I hit a nine iron,
4:05:47 > 4:05:49trying to get a little baby cup nine iron in there.
4:05:49 > 4:05:51In hindsight, it was a wedge shot all day.
4:05:51 > 4:05:53I one-hopped it over the back and made bogey,
4:05:53 > 4:05:56and it was a real momentum stopper.
4:05:57 > 4:06:00As McDowell digested his mistake,
4:06:00 > 4:06:03Scott was again in realistic birdie range.
4:06:07 > 4:06:10He didn't capitalise, but it appeared not to matter.
4:06:10 > 4:06:13The Australian remained 4 clear.
4:06:13 > 4:06:16APPLAUSE
4:06:17 > 4:06:20McDowell's error on the 9th was compounded
4:06:20 > 4:06:22by another drop shot on the 10th.
4:06:23 > 4:06:25Having come off bogeys on 9 and 10,
4:06:25 > 4:06:29just tried to play the hole very aggressively.
4:06:29 > 4:06:30Then, for some reason,
4:06:30 > 4:06:33I just had bad pictures in my head of 11 all week.
4:06:33 > 4:06:35I had this phobia of the right-hand side of this fairway.
4:06:35 > 4:06:38I don't know why. And all of a sudden, at the last minute,
4:06:38 > 4:06:40I had that swing on 11 on Sunday.
4:06:43 > 4:06:46I just came straight over the top and just flat pole-hooked it.
4:06:49 > 4:06:51Into the only few places on the golf course
4:06:51 > 4:06:54where the ball is going to be unfindable and unplayable.
4:06:57 > 4:06:59You know, my race was run, and all of a sudden,
4:06:59 > 4:07:01there wasn't enough time left
4:07:01 > 4:07:03for me to try and get back in the game.
4:07:06 > 4:07:11Scott was keeping the challenges at bay with a succession of pars.
4:07:13 > 4:07:15APPLAUSE
4:07:15 > 4:07:20I was playing fairly conservative for most of the day Sunday,
4:07:20 > 4:07:23and making sure I gave myself a couple of putts at par,
4:07:23 > 4:07:28and par was never going to hurt me, because no-one was charging.
4:07:29 > 4:07:32On the back 9, though, Tiger threatened to.
4:07:34 > 4:07:37APPLAUSE
4:07:37 > 4:07:41After a birdie at the 10th, another followed at the short 12th.
4:07:41 > 4:07:43He was creeping closer to the lead.
4:07:43 > 4:07:46APPLAUSE
4:07:49 > 4:07:52Woods again felt it was game on, and so did Els.
4:07:52 > 4:07:55But McDowell's hopes were fading.
4:07:55 > 4:07:59Scott, though, stayed very much in command of his own destiny.
4:08:04 > 4:08:07Royal Lytham's 14th hole can be a brute,
4:08:07 > 4:08:09but with the wind helping,
4:08:09 > 4:08:12Els gave himself a chance to move within 3 of the lead.
4:08:12 > 4:08:16APPLAUSE
4:08:16 > 4:08:19At the putt on 14, that was a big putt,
4:08:19 > 4:08:23because there was another one just to keep a little momentum going.
4:08:27 > 4:08:30APPLAUSE
4:08:35 > 4:08:38You could just feel the energy raising all the time,
4:08:38 > 4:08:40people out of the stands again.
4:08:40 > 4:08:42I just felt the energy of the whole place,
4:08:42 > 4:08:45where I was at that time, was just electrifying.
4:08:49 > 4:08:51After par on the 15th,
4:08:51 > 4:08:55Ernie's choice of driver on the 16th looked to have backfired.
4:09:01 > 4:09:04Having ricocheted off a fence, he found the rough.
4:09:04 > 4:09:07His hopes of a much-needed birdie diminished.
4:09:13 > 4:09:16Back on the 14th, Scott was weighing up a putt
4:09:16 > 4:09:19that would see him improve to 10-under.
4:09:22 > 4:09:26Els chipped out, but he had to settle for a par,
4:09:26 > 4:09:28missing a clear opportunity to make up ground.
4:09:31 > 4:09:34Scott now had a putt to move 4 clear.
4:09:37 > 4:09:40APPLAUSE
4:09:40 > 4:09:44His grip on the title had never seemed tighter.
4:09:45 > 4:09:49There are moments in championships which are key moments,
4:09:49 > 4:09:51when you look back on them,
4:09:51 > 4:09:54and it's almost as if the gods have got involved.
4:09:54 > 4:09:57At that point, I think Scott, in his mind,
4:09:57 > 4:09:59said, "OK, I am Open champion."
4:10:00 > 4:10:02Tiger was now out of the reckoning
4:10:02 > 4:10:06after making three consecutive bogeys from the 13th.
4:10:09 > 4:10:13His fall left Scott and Els in a two-horse race.
4:10:17 > 4:10:21With a closing round of 69, world number one Luke Donald
4:10:21 > 4:10:23finished 2-under for the championship.
4:10:29 > 4:10:32Donald was on the course for a top-five result.
4:10:32 > 4:10:33So was Snedeker.
4:10:33 > 4:10:38Els continued to prove stubborn, but Scott was almost there.
4:10:42 > 4:10:45For him, pars were now priceless,
4:10:45 > 4:10:49but on the 15th, a 4 is never easy to achieve.
4:10:54 > 4:10:58Having found a greenside bunker, Scott chipped out,
4:10:58 > 4:11:02leaving himself an eight-foot putt for par.
4:11:02 > 4:11:06At those moments, where it is coming down to the wire
4:11:06 > 4:11:09and you've got the lead and you've got to close the tournament out,
4:11:09 > 4:11:12making a par putt like that is a huge momentum thing.
4:11:12 > 4:11:14It is almost like a birdie at that point.
4:11:19 > 4:11:22I saw Scotty walking over to the 16th tee,
4:11:22 > 4:11:25and I saw he had his head down a little bit,
4:11:25 > 4:11:29so I realised that he must have bogeyed 15.
4:11:30 > 4:11:33Even so, there was no cause for panic.
4:11:33 > 4:11:37Scott led by 3, and was safely on the 16th green for 2.
4:11:41 > 4:11:44APPLAUSE
4:11:46 > 4:11:49On the 17th, Els putted for birdie.
4:11:53 > 4:11:55SOME GROANS
4:11:59 > 4:12:04One hole back, Scott also putted for birdie.
4:12:07 > 4:12:09While the first putt surprised me a bit,
4:12:09 > 4:12:13that it kept breaking to the left at the end, I felt it was going
4:12:13 > 4:12:16to stay very straight or even go to the right as it got to the hole
4:12:16 > 4:12:19but it was a bit short and just kept breaking left.
4:12:20 > 4:12:23I felt it was a left centre putt
4:12:23 > 4:12:26with the wind blowing hard left to right
4:12:26 > 4:12:31and I think I hit a fairly good putt and it just spun out.
4:12:39 > 4:12:42The moment he bogeyed the 16th was the point
4:12:42 > 4:12:46that everybody around thought, "Uh-oh, this could happen."
4:12:48 > 4:12:49Now only two shots adrift,
4:12:49 > 4:12:54Els had struck the ideal tee shot to attack the flag on the 18th.
4:12:55 > 4:12:59I had only about 104 or 105 yards or something
4:12:59 > 4:13:02but at that stage I had to give myself an opportunity to putt.
4:13:06 > 4:13:10It was only once he'd hit the second shot, when we started walking up,
4:13:10 > 4:13:13I looked at the board and said to him, "Ernie, look at the board."
4:13:13 > 4:13:19All of a sudden Adam was going down 17 and he was only 18.
4:13:21 > 4:13:24If Ernie can birdie the 18th, that makes those last two holes play
4:13:24 > 4:13:26a little bit longer for Adam
4:13:26 > 4:13:29and all of a sudden they stretched for miles.
4:13:37 > 4:13:40CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
4:13:42 > 4:13:46I will never, ever forget that feeling when that putt went in.
4:13:46 > 4:13:49I think it was the loudest roar of my career.
4:13:50 > 4:13:52The ball just never left the hole.
4:13:55 > 4:13:58The roar from the crowd was absolutely amazing.
4:13:58 > 4:14:03There is no feeling like that and I just thought, "Well,
4:14:03 > 4:14:05"there's still a chance, even in the play-off."
4:14:07 > 4:14:11Wasn't thinking that was the putt that was going to win him the Open Championship.
4:14:15 > 4:14:18Hearing the roar of Ernie, now it's fact.
4:14:18 > 4:14:20I've got to make two fours to win the open.
4:14:22 > 4:14:26I never really got super nervous. I felt I had everything under control.
4:14:27 > 4:14:30It was important to now play the last two very solid.
4:14:38 > 4:14:42Adam probably made his biggest long game mistake of the day on 17th.
4:14:42 > 4:14:47The second shot to that left pin. He just did what you can't do there.
4:14:47 > 4:14:48You can't miss that pin left.
4:14:54 > 4:14:56His long game had been totally in control.
4:14:56 > 4:15:00When I saw the ball in the air, the alarm bells started ringing in my head.
4:15:00 > 4:15:03If Ernie had just buried the last, I'm thinking,
4:15:03 > 4:15:06Adam makes a bogey here and the last is only going to be par
4:15:06 > 4:15:09and it started to get tough to watch at that point.
4:15:09 > 4:15:14That's the one I'd like to have over again out of them all
4:15:14 > 4:15:16because my strategy for the hole was short and right,
4:15:16 > 4:15:19and I hit the ball long and left.
4:15:19 > 4:15:24It wasn't the worst shot. It was a bad shot given the circumstances.
4:15:31 > 4:15:35Even then, a par would have maintained his one-shot lead.
4:15:35 > 4:15:39As Els saw a play-off looming, Scott had this to stay alone at the top.
4:15:48 > 4:15:50It never threatened.
4:15:52 > 4:15:54Again, a little misread on that part.
4:15:54 > 4:15:58It looked like it was coming down the hill to the right to me
4:15:58 > 4:16:02but I think it was running so straight on the ridge, it just never moved right.
4:16:04 > 4:16:07Scott and Els were now tied for the lead.
4:16:12 > 4:16:13On the last green,
4:16:13 > 4:16:17Snedeker had a putt to share third with playing partner Woods.
4:16:20 > 4:16:24The 36-hole leader had supplied much entertainment
4:16:24 > 4:16:29but so had Tiger who would occupy the top three in a major for the 24th time.
4:16:36 > 4:16:40Back on the 18th tee, Scott faced a club selection dilemma.
4:16:42 > 4:16:44Lots of people said to me that they were surprised
4:16:44 > 4:16:46at Adam's club selection.
4:16:46 > 4:16:49It's tough to know what to hit off that tee box.
4:16:49 > 4:16:52There's no way to take trouble completely out of play.
4:16:52 > 4:16:56It's not like I'm standing in the tee box going,
4:16:56 > 4:16:57"Where's he going with this?"
4:16:57 > 4:17:01He swung so well, it wasn't like alarm bells were going off.
4:17:01 > 4:17:03He just needs to put a good swing on this.
4:17:05 > 4:17:07To me, it wasn't a wrong club.
4:17:09 > 4:17:11Wrong club or not,
4:17:11 > 4:17:15Scott's ball came to rest in the worst place imaginable.
4:17:15 > 4:17:18Reaching the green was now out of the question.
4:17:20 > 4:17:25I was actually trying to call my wife and then the call came through.
4:17:25 > 4:17:29It was Johann Rupert. He said to me, "He drove it into the bunker."
4:17:31 > 4:17:36Then I thought, this could be a real turnaround.
4:17:46 > 4:17:49At that point, you know what you have to do.
4:17:49 > 4:17:51You just have to get it up and down.
4:18:03 > 4:18:06It was falling down dead in line with the pin.
4:18:06 > 4:18:11As it landed, it looked like it was getting the bounce up close but
4:18:11 > 4:18:15maybe the wind was just starting a touch and it landed quite soft.
4:18:18 > 4:18:21Still a really good shot under the circumstances
4:18:21 > 4:18:24because at that point I've just got to give myself a chance
4:18:24 > 4:18:26to make a putt to make the play-off.
4:18:28 > 4:18:32The crowd's reaction was appreciation mixed with sympathy.
4:18:32 > 4:18:35An hour before, Scott was set to lift the Claret Jug.
4:18:35 > 4:18:39Now his fate hung on a single putt.
4:18:42 > 4:18:45Ernie wasn't looking. He only needed to listen.
4:18:48 > 4:18:49I was either going to hear
4:18:49 > 4:18:52a Phil Mickelson roar of 2004 at the Masters
4:18:52 > 4:18:54or hear the crowd when he missed the putt.
4:18:59 > 4:19:04I knew the situation. This is a putt to get in a play-off at the Open.
4:19:04 > 4:19:06Probably the biggest putt of my career.
4:19:07 > 4:19:11It's a great moment. It's what you practise for, and the whole day,
4:19:11 > 4:19:17I had such a calm feeling inside my body. It was strange.
4:19:17 > 4:19:20I was very confident with what I was doing.
4:19:20 > 4:19:22It felt like things were falling into place
4:19:22 > 4:19:25and that's how I felt over that putt.
4:19:30 > 4:19:32Less than an inch, and with it,
4:19:32 > 4:19:37Adam Scott's dream of winning the 141st Open had gone.
4:19:49 > 4:19:51I was...
4:19:51 > 4:19:53disappointed.
4:19:53 > 4:19:56I couldn't think clearly enough to understand what's happened
4:19:56 > 4:19:57over the last four holes.
4:19:57 > 4:20:01I let this tournament slip through my fingers, really.
4:20:01 > 4:20:05I try not to live life with regrets or golf with regrets.
4:20:06 > 4:20:11I wished I'd won the Open. I still can't imagine what that feels like.
4:20:13 > 4:20:17But I believe more in my golf game than I ever did before.
4:20:19 > 4:20:23It almost seems unfair that this is a player who played really hard
4:20:23 > 4:20:25and really, really well
4:20:25 > 4:20:29and it seemed as if his name was already on that Claret Jug,
4:20:29 > 4:20:32and I think the class of Adam Scott
4:20:32 > 4:20:34is the way he dealt with it afterwards.
4:20:34 > 4:20:37He didn't have to come to the press interview but he did,
4:20:37 > 4:20:39and that's a measure of the man.
4:20:39 > 4:20:42That is a measure of the man.
4:20:48 > 4:20:49Well...
4:20:49 > 4:20:54It was a very sloppy finish by me.
4:20:54 > 4:20:58You've got to play some good shots to win these golf tournaments
4:20:58 > 4:21:01and I wasn't able to do that the last few holes.
4:21:01 > 4:21:03Sure, I'm very disappointed.
4:21:04 > 4:21:07He will go away, he will lick his wounds.
4:21:07 > 4:21:08He's quite laid-back.
4:21:08 > 4:21:12He'll probably go back home, get his surfboard out and go surfing.
4:21:18 > 4:21:21I really do view the week as such a positive move for me.
4:21:21 > 4:21:24For so long, I never even contended in majors.
4:21:24 > 4:21:28The last two years I've really been a contender.
4:21:28 > 4:21:32That's why I'm going in the right direction and this might be
4:21:32 > 4:21:36the one last piece of the puzzle for me to get what I really want.
4:21:39 > 4:21:42He posted three outstanding rounds in the 60s
4:21:42 > 4:21:45but a closing 75 wasn't good enough.
4:21:46 > 4:21:50Scott had been undone by four heartbreaking holes
4:21:50 > 4:21:55and a superb back 9 from a veteran without a major title for 10 years.
4:21:58 > 4:22:00A lot of the press, a lot of the media
4:22:00 > 4:22:02and a lot of the people out there were like,
4:22:02 > 4:22:05"He's done, he's washed up.
4:22:05 > 4:22:09"He doesn't have it." He just proved a lot of people wrong.
4:22:14 > 4:22:18It means everything because of where we were and I was really gone
4:22:18 > 4:22:23and through a lot of work and a lot of perseverance, if you want to call it that,
4:22:23 > 4:22:27a lot of help from a lot of people around me, a lot can be achieved.
4:22:27 > 4:22:31The winner of the gold medal and the champion golfer of the year
4:22:31 > 4:22:32is Ernie Els.
4:22:32 > 4:22:34APPLAUSE
4:22:34 > 4:22:36I first of all thought of Adam,
4:22:36 > 4:22:40of being in a position where I've done exactly what he's done
4:22:40 > 4:22:44and I know that feeling and it's not a great feeling.
4:22:44 > 4:22:48First of all, I feel for my buddy Adam Scott.
4:22:48 > 4:22:50He was genuinely feeling for me
4:22:50 > 4:22:54although he must've been really excited to win the Open.
4:22:56 > 4:22:58You're a great player, great friend of mine
4:22:58 > 4:23:01and you're going to win many of these. You've got too much talent.
4:23:01 > 4:23:03He was really kind in his words.
4:23:03 > 4:23:07It's nice of him to do that in that moment when it should just be
4:23:07 > 4:23:12elation for him and I was the guy to tone it down a little, I guess.
4:23:12 > 4:23:17My other guy, Ricky Roberts, he's like a brother of mine
4:23:17 > 4:23:20and without his help, I could never have done this.
4:23:20 > 4:23:23I know he looks 60 but he's only 48.
4:23:25 > 4:23:27I thought it was a bit cheeky, that!
4:23:29 > 4:23:33I mean, he's not a spring chicken himself, is he?
4:23:37 > 4:23:40It's just huge for him. Absolutely huge.
4:23:40 > 4:23:45From where he was to achieve that. Absolutely phenomenal.
4:23:47 > 4:23:50It's just given him such a belief that he can go on from here.
4:23:52 > 4:23:54He's so talented, so gifted.
4:23:54 > 4:23:57I still think he can win another three, four majors.
4:24:00 > 4:24:03Proved to a lot of people that not just in sport but in life,
4:24:03 > 4:24:07just keep fighting, keep battling and never give in.
4:24:07 > 4:24:11You never know what's around the corner.
4:24:20 > 4:24:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
4:24:51 > 4:24:53Golf in all its glory.
4:24:53 > 4:24:57The Open Championship starts Thursday 18th July across the BBC.