Why Adam Scott’s Implosion at the Open Championship is in an Elite League.

Adam Scott went to the 15^th tee of the Open Championship with a 4 shot lead over Ernie Els. On his way to the first Major of his career, Scott imploded with 4 bogeys on the final four holes. Els scored a beautiful birdie on the 18^th hole and when Scott’s par put went wide left on the final hole, Els stole the major from Scott. Scott was great all week but even Stevie Williams could save him here. Let’s look at some of the worst collapses in sports history.

Boston Massacre

The term "Boston Massacre" was used to refer to a season-changing weekend when the Yankees swept Boston at Fenway Park to help erase a 7.5 game Boston lead with 32 games remaining. After the sweep the Sox lost 14 of 17. To save some grace they were able to win their final eight games to force a one-game playoff at Yankee Stadium. Sadly the Yankees and Bucky Dent continued Boston’s misery as  Dent’s homerun sent the Sox packing.

Lifeless Tigers

Last year, 2011 was one to forget for the Detroit. The Tigers were in first place from May 10 until the final day of the season. They led Minnesota by three games with four to play and somehow didn't make the playoffs. The Twins beat the Tigers with four days remaining then swept the Royals while Detroit won just one of its final three. This all set up a one-game playoff in Minnesota where the Tigers actually led in the 10th inning before losing to the Twins in 12th.

Houston We Have A Problem

The 1993 AFC Wild Card game may be one of the best comebacks ever but is also one of the biggest meltdowns as well. Up 35-3 at half, the Oilers seemingly played prevent defense the entire second half, making Bills backup QB Frank Reich look like Joe Montana. The Oilers lost 41-38 in OT, and the franchise never recovered from the devastating loss.

Not So Masterful

The 1996 had to have been in Adam Scott’s mind while he blew the Tournament. Greg Norman was a great golfer but in 1996, Norman entered the final day of the Masters with a six-stroke lead over Nick Faldo. Then in shocking fashion, Norman shot a horrifying 78 while Faldo shot a 67 to win the green jacket by five strokes.

Billy Goat Lives On

We all watched the 2003 NLCS game 6 and expected the Cubs to finally make the World Series. Sadly the Marlins had other plans. Five outs away from ending the game while leading 3-0 in the top of the eighth, Moises Alou attempted to catch a foul ball before Steve Bartman interfered with the play causing Alou to drop the ball. The Cubs then gave up eight runs in the inning, lost Game 7 the next day and disappeared into baseball oblivion.

British Disaster

Adam Scott joined Norman and Jean Van De Velde. At the 1999 British Open Van de Velde had a three shot lead going into the final hole. Van De Velde sadly hit it into the rough, then the water, then the sand to card a triple bogey seven. Velde then lost in a tiebreaker, ending the greatest one hole collapse in golf history.

A Bronx Riot

The 3-0 comeback for the Red Sox in 2004 was also a Yankee collapse. From pitching to poor hitting, the once World Series bound Yankees, seemed almost destined to lose 4 straight to the Red Sox. Especially vs their biggest rivals, this was one of the darkest moments in Yankee history.

Beware The Beckham

Bayern Munich can still taste the 1999 Champions League Final. Sadly fate would see it differently that night in Barcelona. The German club led Manchester United 1-0 in injury time. With three minutes left to become champs of Europe MU’s David Beckham sent two corner kicks that led to two goals. United stole the title 2-1 and Bayern Munich still is not over it.

 A Quarter Away

Rookie driver JR Hildebrand was a quarter lap away from winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Sadly he crashed his car on the final turn, gift-wrapping a win for Dan Wheldon. Well, don’t worry, JR, it was only the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500. No big deal. Hildebrand was able to nudge his destroyed ride across the finish line for second place, an impressive feat by any measure.

The Babe Lives On

The 2011 Red Sox can only be compared to the 2011 Detroit Tigers.  The Sox led Tamba by 9 games in September. Later in the month they only needed to beat the last place Orioles just to force a one-game playoff for the wild card. Unfortunately, with the Babe watching from above, the Sox were leading 3-2 in the 9^th inning but gave up two runs, ending one of the biggest collapses in baseball history.