Putting problems cost Ernie Els

World number three Ernie Els, who had to settle for a share of third place in the British Open on Sunday, said his putting had been the main obstacle to his bid for victory.

The easy-swinging South African produced a closing 69 to tie for third at six-under-par 278 behind champion David Duval and Sweden's Niclas Fasth, level with Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Ian Woosnam, Billy Mayfair and Bernhard Langer.

But Els, twice U.S. Open champion, ended a lowly 34th on the putting statistics over the four days, and he felt this had been the difference between third spot and a first British Open victory.

"I had a lot of chances out there today and I hit it as good as when I've won," he said. "I was just getting in my own way a bit.

"I hit the ball as well as anything and I probably lead the greens in regulation for the week. But I just couldn't get the ball into the hole."

Els, who nearly pulled out of the championship on Monday because of an ongoing back injury, began the final day two strokes off the lead, but played a steady round as most of the other challengers dropped back.

He reached the turn in level-par 35, dropping a shot at the 392-yard fourth but getting it back with a birdie at the par-three ninth.

He then created several birdie chances on the tougher back nine, but could only convert at 14 and at the last.

"It was disappointing," Els said. "I don't know how many chances I had for birdies.

"I kept battling to get into it and I hit a very good shot to get even in my mind for the day.

"Then I thought the back nine was going to treat me good for change but it didn't quite happen. Then I missed a birdie putt at 11.

"On 13, I should have chipped the ball. I was just short of the green with my drive and I really needed that birdie.

"I birdied 14, had a chance on 15, 16 I had a chance. I had a lot of chances."

Els, who finished second or tied for second in three of last year's four majors, had to withdraw from last week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond with a lower back strain that he picked up during last month's U.S. Open.

The big South African came close to leaving Lytham on Monday when he could barely get out of bed and had to summon his back specialist Tom Boers from London.

Ongoing treatment at the course all week ensured that Els was able to tee off for Thursday's opening round, but he felt his short game suffered a little as a result.

"It's better now and I have just been keeping it loose now. But my short game probably suffered more than anything," he said.

"I missed a couple of shots left on the par-fives today, hitting them into bunkers. If I make fours there, then the show is on the road."

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