Els has unfinished business at Carnoustie

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 17 (Reuters) Ernie Els still has unfinished business with the British Open.

For a player as rich in natural talent and aptitude for links golf, the big 37-year-old South African knows his return of one claret jug in 16 attempts from 1989 amounts to slim pickings.

Els told a news conference today that the near misses, he has finished in the top-three six times in total, were irksome.

''I have had quite a few chances to win other ones, most recently, obviously, the playoff against Todd Hamilton (in 2004),'' he said.

''I felt I really played well that week at Troon and didn't get the most out of it. That's as close as you can come to winning the Open and that makes it even more disappointing.

''I had chances at Lytham (in 1996) when Tom Lehman won, too.'' Els arrived at Carnoustie, however, in optimistic mood after a final-round 65 at the Scottish Open last week catapulted him to third place, one behind eventual playoff winner Gregory Havret, and moved him to fourth in the world rankings.

''It was a nice finish and I used a new driver that felt good,'' he said. ''I'll be going out there this afternoon and seeing what it's like.'' Reuters DH RN2026