In what is probably his last Masters appearance, Ernie Els finished with a six-over par 78 and last place at the year’s first Major in Georgia.

Els was the first man off on Sunday, playing with Jeff Kox the official marker when an odd number of players make the weekend cut, and was looking to end his 23rd visit to Augusta National on a positive after a 83 in round three.

There would be no golden goodbye for The Big Easy as he narrowly missed his long-range birdie on the first hole. A bogey on the par 3 fourth hole saw him drop is first shot but there was more to follow as he gave shots back on 6,7 and 8 before finishing his outward nine with a par.

Els began what in all likelihood will be his last nine holes at Augusta with a bogey before disaster struck on the par 5 12 as he dropped two shots. Another double followed on the next before he steadied the ship with a par on the par 5 15th hole.

Els dropped his final shot at the 16th before closing with two pars.

Before the week began, the giant of South African golf revealed he was at his peace with whatever happened this week and while he won many accolades for making the cut, he will no doubt be thinking what might have been had he not blown out with a Saturday 83 as he never got himself in contention for the Major that alluded like no other.