BBC SPORT | Golf | The Open | The Open: Final play-off

Ernie Els beats Thomas Levet in a sudden-death play-off to win The Open at Muirfield.

Els Level (after 5 holes)

Levet +1 (5)

Appleby +1 (4) OUT OF CONTENTION

Elkington +1 (4) OUT OF CONTENTION

Sudden death (on the 18th)

Els wins the toss, tees off first and finds the fairway. But he can't find the green with his second - his approach lands in a greenside bunker to the left. He conjures some magic from the most awkward standing position to chip to within six feet.

He has to hole from four feet to win... and he duly does!

Levet veers left off the tee and finds the bunker. He pushes out but plays a good third to find the left edge of the green. Amazingly, Levet shaves the hole with his putt, and makes the return for a bogey five.

Four-way play-off

Hole 18:

Appleby/Els
Appleby splits the fairway, as does Els, though the Australian is slightly longer off the tee.

Els hits a fine second, but Appleby lands his approach in one of the bunkers to the right of the green, and he barely gets out. His fourth is an excellent chipped effort, but not enough to keep his hopes alive.

As for Els, he has the chance to win it from 20 feet, but it swings past, and he still has a bit of work to do... but he holes up the hill, and it's back up the 18th for him and Levet.

Levet/Elkington
Knowing he is on the verge of the Claret Jug, Levet sends his tee shot wide right, and then badly bunkers his second. He chips to the edge of the green, and his first putt swings away from the hole. But the Frenchman holds his nerve to hole out for five.

Elkington is in better shape, reaching the middle of the green in two. His first putt rolls past and he misses the one back as well, so he is out of contention.

Hole 17:

Appleby/Els
Appleby reaches the edge of the green in two, and rolls his putt to six feet. He courageously holds for birdie, and brings him back level.

Els drives into the rough, and though gets back on the fairway, his birdie chances look slim. And he does eventually make five.

Levet/Elkington
Levet does well to get out from the greenside bunker at 17, but leaves himself with a nasty putt. He manages to escape with a par five though, and stays in front.

Elkington misjudges a greenside chip, but rescues himself with a magnificent 25-feet putt for a birdie four that keeps his hopes alive.

Hole 16:

Appelby/Els
Appleby finds trouble off the tee, but Els is well-placed on the green.

The Australian eventually makes bogey, while Els makes pair.

Levet/Elkington
Levet manages a superb birdie two by sinking a 30-feet uphill putt to take the lead.

Elkington comes close to matching him but just fails.

Hole 1:

Appelby/Els
Appleby and Els play two good shots to find the centre of the green.

But both are unable to convert decent chances and make par.

Levet/Elkington
Both Levet and Elkington find the edge of the fairway.

Elkington bunkers his second and eventually bogeys, while Levet duly makes par.


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