The 2012 British Open: 1999 all over again

A true golf fan will always remember the 1999 British Open for how Jean van de Velde had a huge lead heading into the final round, leading Justin Leonard and Craig Parry by five strokes. He only needed a double-bogey at the 18th and final hole to wrap up an upset win at Carnoustie, until everything unraveled:



As a result, it forced a three-way playoff between Leonard and local competitor Paul Lawrie.  The four-hole playoff was won by Lawrie, who won it by three strokes over van de Velde and Leonard, capping off one of the biggest collapses in one of golf's majors.

Turn the clock ahead to today, and Adam Scott at St. Anne's.  Coming into the final round, Scott led the British Open by four strokes over Graeme McDowell and Brandt Snedeker.  2002 British Open champion Ernie Els was six strokes behind Scott.  As the final round unfolded, Scott was 11-under par after 68 holes, and then just like in 1999 with van de Velde, everything began to fall apart during the final four holes.

Els on the other hand, was having a great day as he was making a huge run to the lead, trying to capture his second Open championship.  At the end, Els went 2-under on the final round, while Scott went 5-over, which included four straight bogeys to end the round and complete the comeback for Els, as he captured his second career Open championship.

The events of today for the young Aussie should serve as a reminder that you can't always keep your foot on the gas pedal or put the car on cruise control while you're holding a big lead.  This is merely a learning experience for him, and if he enters the PGA Championship, hopefully the lessons learned from today will carry over once he tees off in Kiewah Island, South Carolina next month.

Photo credit: Getty Images