Els wins British Open

South African legend Ernie Els won the British Open by one stroke from Adam Scott on Sunday after Scott spectacularly imploded at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 42-year-old birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot.

Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield.

"I am just numb at the moment, I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine," said Els, the 1994 and 1997 US Open champion.

"We both wanted to win so badly, but I really feel for him. That is the nature of the beast, that is why we are out here.

"It was my time. I was hoping at best a play-off. A lot of people never thought I would win but I started believing this year, getting a lot of help from my family and the professionals around me."

Image: Getty