Ernie Els fell just short on Sunday of becoming just the fourth player to win both the Open Championship and the Senior Open when he carded a two-under-par 68 in the closing round which was badly affected by the weather.

Els reached eight-under for the tournament for a share of third, and two behind the winner, Darren Clarke, who, in victory, in fact beat Els to the punch in achieving that rare double. Clarke carded a closing one-under to beat Padraig Harrington, who was also in the running to achieve the double. In the end, the Irishman fell one short and the Northern Irishman was the man to join Gary Player, Bob Charles and Tom Watson in an elite group.

In the heavy rain, Els made a birdie on the second and a bogey on the sixth. He made birdie on 15, and then had to sit out from the action as the rain became too heavy and the course was waterlogged before he could finish his round with a birdie on 18.

Els shared third with Mauricio Molina of Argentina, American Doug Barron, Tongchai Jaidee, New Zealander Steven Alker and Paul Broadhurst of England. Colin Montgomerie was ninth on seven-under and Scot Paul Lawrie and YE Yank of South Korea shared 10^th.

James Kingston had a share of 12^th on four-under after a closing one-over 71, and Retief Goosen shared 16^th on three-under after he carded a two-under 68. David Frost closed with a two-over 72 and he was in a share of 41^st on four-over with Adilson Da Silva, who signed for a four-over 74.