A ROGUE photographer put paid to Ernie Els conviction that he was going to add the Masters title to his two US Open victories. Just as he set up for his birdie attempt on the 72nd hole to move himself within a shot of leader Vijay Singh, he was forced to step away when a camerman starting snapping. “The guy should never take a golf picture in his life again,” fumed Els, who missed the putt and ended up in second spot, three shots adrift after Singh birdied the final hole. “I wasn’t even taking the putter back and some guy got way ahead of time. “In the end if I had made the putt I would still not have won but I would have at least given Vijay a chance to think about it,” added the 30 year-old. Els admitted he was convinced that this was to be his year at Augusta. “This year I was a totally different player out there I felt I was going to win. I really felt I was going to win the tournament when I stepped onto the first tee,” he said. Els reached the turn one under and five shots behind Singh but then the South African began his charge. “I knew from watching this tournament through the years, the back nine, everything happens. I don’t remember playing this well at Augusta ever, especially today,” explained Els. “I had my chances but it just wasn’t meant to be for me this year, perhaps next year,” he added. Els was full of praise for Singh’s performance — winning his second major. “He obviously showed us his mettle today,” he said. “He’s done it before at the PGA and now he’s done it again. He’s and awfully hard competitor and this golf course has always being suited for his game but he’s never really putted here well but he really did the job today,” added Els, a frequent practice round partner of the Fijian.