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British Open moments Scenes from golf’s third major, taking place at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. more photos

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Easy does it
Ernie Els had two rounds under par at Royal Birkdale and tied for seventh. But that’s about all the Big Easy can take out of the week.

Els took himself out of the tournament on the back nine of the opening round, which he played in 9-over 45 for an 80.

“How do you come back from that?” he said Sunday after closing with a 69. “Then it was just a battle out there to try and get into the top 10, the top 20. It’s been a tough week, but at least I played the four rounds and gave it my best shot.”

Like Mickelson, Els’ biggest concern is his putter. He is trying to move back to his old routine and saw some progress Sunday. Next up for Els is a trip to Las Vegas to meet with swing coach Butch Harmon with hopes of ending an 0-for-23 drought in the majors, the longest of his career.

Betting favorite
Sergio Garcia thought this might be his best chance to win a major considering that he lost in a playoff last year at Carnoustie and played in the final group the year before.

Instead, he closed with a 78 and tied for 51st, the worst finish of his career when he completes four rounds at the British Open.

Garcia shot 44 on the back nine, with consecutive double bogeys.

“Whatever chances I had today, I threw them away on the back nine,” Garcia said. “I just went brain dead. My body just didn’t react to my thoughts. I couldn’t think straight and didn’t make any good decisions.”