Adam  Scott declared ‘that’s why they call it golf’ after bogeying his four closing bogeys to let slip victory at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

Scott went into the final round leading by four strokes and despite a first hole bogey, he then forged five strokes clear of the field near the mid-stage of his round.

The Australian birdied the 14th and looked almost certain to end a 19-year Open Championship winless drought since boyhood hero, Greg Norman captured the 1993 Open at Sandwich.

Adam Scott's moment of despair - having to play out of a bunker at the 72nd hole on route to a bogey and second place behind Ernie Els (Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

However is a hapless ending to his round, Scott proceeded to bogey 15, three-putted the 16th, failed to get up-and-down for par at 17 and then found a fairway bunker down the last before missing a six-foot putt that would have sent the championship into a play-off.

It’s the first occasion in some 30-years someone has let slip victory in a Major bogeying the last few holes.

“It was a very sloppy finish  by me and disappointing to finish that way,” he said.

“I wasn’t even really out of position, and I managed to get myself in some troulbe and couldn’t make the putts to get out of it the last four holes.

“But that’s what was to be expected coming in here  It’s a championship golf course.  It’s very difficult and you’ve got to play some good shots to win thos golf tournaments, and I wasn’t able to do that the last few holes.

“So sure, I am very disappointed but I felt like I played well this week, and it was probably a great chance.”

Els singled out Scott at the presentation highlighting his long-running friendship with the Australian and reassuring Scott he should win a Major in his carer.

The pair spoke before the presentation and Scott revealed Els’ comments.

“Ernie said he felt for me and not to beat myself up,” siad Scott.

“He said he beat himself up a little bit when he’d lost or had a chance – not lost them, but had a chance to win.

“And he felt I’m a great player and I can go on to win Majors, which is nice.

“We have a close friendship. We’ve had some good battles in the past and it’s nice to hear that from him.  I respect Ernie a lot, and he’s a player who is a worthy champion here for sure again.”

www.golfbytourmiss.com fellow writer, Bernie McGuire had been in contact with three of Australia’s golf champions ahead of the final round – Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson and Greg Norman.  Between them they’ve won eight Open Championships.

All three provided glowing tributes that were to be released to the world’s media should Scott succeed.

Unfortunately, that never transpired but Scott can hold his head high.  He was gracious in defeat and a champion in his manners and the way he conducted himself despite his enormous disappointment.

“I am pretty disappointed, to say the least,” said Scott.

“I know I’ve let a great chance slip through my fingers today.  But somehow I’ll look back and take positives from it.  I don’t think I’ve ever played this well in a major championship, so that’s a good thing for me moving forward.

“All the stuff I’m doing is going in the right direction.

“Today is one of those days, and that’s why that call it golf.”