Ernie Els dedicated his second Open Championship victory to his autistic son, Ben.

Els became a four-time Major Champion after the surprise ending to this year’s 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

The South African came from six strokes back to defeat Australia’s Adam Scott by one and claim a second Claret Jug a decade after winning at Muirfield.

And along with his U.S. Open success in 1994 and 1994, Els now joins arch rival Phil Mickelson with four Majo victories.

The champion South African birdied four of his closing nine holes including a gem at the last to defeat his Australian-born good friend.

Ernie Els kisses the Claret Jug. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Scott, looking to become the 11th Australian to win a Major, went into the last day leadoing by four shots at 11-under and despite a bogey at the first, the Queenslander was still very much in control.

At one stage, Scott went five strokes clear of his rivals before a disastrous four-hole closing downfall when the 31-year old bogeyed the 15th, 16th, 17th and final holes.

However Els was a worthy and very popular champion.

“I’m still a little numb and it hasn’t set in,” he said.

“It will probably take quite a few days because I haven’t been in this position for 10 years.  So it is just crazy, crazy getting here to the Media Centre.

“I felt good yesterday and I didn’t play myself out of it.  But to make up those shots, I just felt really good and for some reason I felt something good was going to come out of this.  Even if I didn’t win I was going to feel good about it because of all the work we’ve put in.

“My game is back to where I can compete, and if it wasn’t this year, I feel I can compete next year.

“But I really feel for my buddy, Scottie (Adam Scott).  I’ve blown majors before and golf tournaments before, and I just hope he doesn’t take it as hard as I did.”

And while Els used the occasion of the prize-giving ceremony to pay a glowing tribute to former South African President, Nelson Mandela he used the occasion of the Media Centre and the Champion’s press conference to single out his 10-year old son, Ben.

“Ben’s got his sayings that he says, and he’ll be happy,” said Els.

“Obviously, Samantha will be there right next to him and Liezl.  It’s going to be a great time to see him.

“Ben, he’s coming through nicely now.  I mean, you guys, should see him.  He’s a wonderful boy, and he’s a bright boy.  So we’re going to have a lot of fun