TIGER Woods was “near perfect” says Ernie Els, who finished third in the US Open after the rampaging American won by 15 strokes, finishing on 272, 12 under par. His 15-stroke victory not only shattered the Open mark of 11 set by Willie Smith in 1899, but was the largest ever in a major championship, surpassing the 13-stroke victory by Old Tom Morris in the 1862 British Open. “We’ve been talking about him for two years,” Ernie Els said. “I guess we’ll be talking about him for the next 20. When he’s on, we don’t have much of a chance.” Jimenez had a 71, while Els finished with a 72. “I could have played out of my mind and still lost by six or seven,” Els said. “He’s near perfect, the way he played this week.” “Before we went out, I knew I had no chance,” Els said. “I played with him today, and it was just awesome to watch,” Els said. “Anything I say is going to be an understatement.”