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| |  Sunday, 23 July, 2000, 19:52 GMT 20:52 UK Els claims unwanted record Els has finished runner-up to Woods six times Tiger Woods was not the only player to set a record at St Andrews as South African Ernie Els discovered. The South African, who finished in the runners-up spot alongside Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, is the first ever golfer to have finished second in three straight Majors. Els also finished a distant second to Woods in the US Open at Pebble Beach and before that he followed Vijay Singh home in US Masters at Augusta. He shot a final round 69 at St Andrews while Bjorn closed with a 71 to finish on a respectable 277 for the Championship. But Els has now also come second to Woods on no fewer than six occasions, more than any other player.
The South African, who led after the first round, picked up four shots over five holes to bring him to within five of the lead, but missed putts cost him dear on the back nine.
"Even if I really played as good as I could I don't think I would have got to 20 under like Tiger," said Els. "I'm playing a different tournament. I play the regular Tour event and Tiger plays his own event." "It is incredible to watch a guy play so much better than the rest of the world and it is tough to sit down and talk about him every time. I might have to get used to it but that's the way it goes," added Els.
Dane Bjorn produced his best ever performance in a Major showing good consistency over the four days which was rewarded with a cheque worth �245,000. The Danish Ryder Cup star began the day in second with David Duval, on 10-under par, six shots behind Woods. As on Saturday he had another erratic round with three birdies and two bogeys leaving him 12-under at the turn.
Unlike Els, Bjorn was ecstatic at his second place at St Andrews. "I had a great tournament and any time you shoot four rounds under par in a Major and finish top 10 you've done well," said Bjorn. "I was one-over for the day after six but I kept composed and tried my best. "I'm definitely back and am now looking forward to the USPGA. I did well at Pebble Beach so I feel like victories are coming." | |
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