Ernie's near miss at 16th signals end of title hopes

WHEN Ernie Els' 12-foot birdie attempt on the 16th tantalisingly rimmed in and out of the cup, it probably signalled the end of his chance to win the PGA Championship.

Els began the final round with a three-shot lead at 16 under, but he lost two shots to par on the front nine. He was back to 16-under, and had a chance to move into a tie for the lead, when his putt didn't drop at the 16th.

'That putt really, I think, just took everything out of me,' Els said. He then bogeyed the 17th and finished with a 72 that left him tied for third with Jeff Maggert.

'I didn't hit many fairways, either,' Els said. 'I didn't play a great round of golf.'