TROON, Scotland, July 18 (UPI) -- American Todd Hamilton beat South African Ernie Els in a four-hole playoff Sunday to win the British Open.
Hamilton, 38, who lives in Texas, parred each playoff hole and won by a stroke after he and Els finished 72 holes tied at 10-under par 274, a shot ahead of Master's champion Phil Mickelson.
Els, No. 2 in the world, missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that would have given him the title.
"I know this is a cliché, but it hasn't sunk in yet," Hamilton said afterward. He said he hadn't given much thought to winning major titles. "Heck, I was just happy this year getting my PGA tour card."
Hamilton, ranked 56th in the world, is a PGA tour rookie after 17 years playing around the world. He won 11 titles on the Japanese tour and got his first PGA victory in the 2004 Honda Classic.
Els shot 68 and Hamilton 69.
Mickelson had 68 for 275. Britain's Lee Westwood was next at 278. Tiger Woods, the world's top-ranked player, shot a 72 and ended up in a tie for ninth place at 281.
