Ernie Els looked back on his year as Open Champion before surrendering the Claret Jug and said: "I'll cherish the memory forever."

The South African superstar, nicknamed The Big Easy, faded out of contention at Royal St George's and finished on six over par, which was seven behind surprise champion Ben Curtis of America.

"It is one of those things, it had to come to an end," said Els. "I didn't play well enough, that is basically it, and good luck to the winner.

"I had a bad start when I didn't play well enough in the tough conditions. I got it back on the second day and was on my way back yesterday before I made a couple of mistakes which blew it for me."