Rollercoaster round for the Big Easy

Ernie Els went from the ecstasy of a hole-in-one to the agony of a double bogey when he began his bid to win the British Open and take the world No 1 spot off Tiger Woods today.

The 2002 champion had the seventh ace of his career on the 123-yard “Postage Stamp” eighth, emulating the feat of 71-year-old Gene Sarazen in the 1973 championship.