Today at the Open: It’s Jordan Spieth’s title at Birkdale
Jordan Spieth is your 2017 Open champion.
But he did it the hard way. Wayward drives, lost balls and clinical putting – Spieth’s maiden Open victory was packed full of drama.
The 2015 Masters and US Open champion’s tense victory at Royal Birkdale means he is the first player since Jack Nicklaus to win three majors before turning 24.
James Broadhurst wraps up the best of the action on a rollercoaster final day of the 146th Open Championship…
So what happened?
It was a dramatic final day for Spieth and challenger Matt Kuchar that will live long in the memory.
Three-up after 54 holes, Spieth looked like his 2016 Masters demons might come back to haunt him after carding three bogies in the opening four holes to drop level with Kuchar at 8-under.
He then fell behind as an erratic drive on the 13th hole saw him take a penalty drop on the range and, to his relief, eventually walk away with a bogie.
But the 23-year-old fought back on the par-3 14th with a jaw-dropping birdie to draw level with Kuchar.
The defining moment of the tournament arrived on the par-5 15th when he holed a long putt for an eagle to go two ahead.
Birdies followed at 16 and 17 as he fought off the stubborn challenge of his Ryder Cup team-mate.
Final leaderboard
-12 J Spieth (US)
-9 M Kuchar (US)
-6 H Li (Chi)
-5 R McIlroy (NI), R Cabrera Bello (Spa)
-4 M Southgate (Eng), M Leishman (Aus), A Noren (Swe), B Grace (SA)
-3 P Casey (Eng), C Kim (US), H Stenson (Swe)
Feel-good moment of the day
Haotong Li's final round ?
• 318 yard average drive
• 6 of 14 fairways
• 13 of 18 greens
• 25 putts
• 7 birdies
• 0 bogeys pic.twitter.com/ZuZCk2lhPY— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 23, 2017
Haotong Li seemingly came out of nowhere to shoot a 7-under 63, the joint-lowest final round in major history.
The 21-year-old world No. 107 looks to have a bright future after taming Birkdale on the final day and making this record in the progress…
Haotong Li: 1st player from Asia to shoot 63 in final round of a major
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 23, 2017
Spare a thought for…
Matt Kuchar. The 39-year-old has never really looked like challenging for an Open title before and his previous best finish was tied-9th in 2012.
But it looked that Kuch, who was three behind Spieth at the start of play, would finally step up to the big stage when he took the lead heading to the 14th hole.
Despite Spieth doing his best to throw it away, it wasn’t meant to be for Kuchar and he is still without a win since the Heritage in April 2014.
Best shots of the day
Well, this was one of the more bizarre moments of this year’s Open. Spieth, after what seemed like an eternity, hit an amazing recovery shot from the driving range on the 13th hole and eventually made a bogey.
Remarkable recovery from @jordanspieth. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/VAR5J3lsgp
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017
After all the upheaval on the 13th, Spieth went and pulled this out of the bag on the next hole. A big moment.
'It's like we have entered an alternative reality!' – @jordanspieth nearly holes from the tee at the 14th. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/7Hm0VX9ZoA
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017
The turning point.
Spieth eagles 15 to hit the front once again.
Live now on Sky Sports The Open
Brought to you by @TaylorMadeTour https://t.co/XVRvXRlbnt
— Sky Sports Golf ?⛳️ (@SkySportsGolf) July 23, 2017
But credit to Kuchar, he kept on coming back at Spieth to keep the pressure on.
Kuch is still in it! Matt Kuchar holes a birdie at the 17th. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/jDudZ9KM6n
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017
Worst shot of the day
The pressure on Spieth’s shoulders heading into the final day must have been immense but the Texan didn’t make things easy for himself at times…
Wayward again…@jordanspieth finds the rough from the 13th tee. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/rqEHekwL8F
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017
Meanwhile, world No.2 Hideki Matsuyama was in with a sniff of catching Spieth at the start of the day thanks to a 4-under 66 on day three. However, the 1st tee nerves struck and the Japanese star hit his opening shot out of bounds on his way to a triple bogey.
Stats of the day
Entering this week, Jordan Spieth had made 553 of 575 putts inside of five feet this season — 96.17 percent.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) July 23, 2017
Jordan Spieth would be the youngest American player to ever win #TheOpen (age 23)
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 23, 2017
.@jordanspieth made it interesting @TheOpen, but wins for 9th time in last 10 attempts with 54-hole lead/co-lead. #pgatour
— PGA TOUR Media (@PGATOURmedia) July 23, 2017
Best final five holes by an Open winner:
-5 Spieth (2017)
-4 Stenson (2016)
-3 Harrington (2008)
-3 Tiger (2006) +3 more pic.twitter.com/t7IYzzd3MD— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 23, 2017
At each of the next 3 majors held (Spieth PGA, Rory Masters, Phil U.S. Open), a player will have the chance to clinch the career grand slam.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 23, 2017
Photo of the day
No-one quite knew what was going on as Spieth weaved his way in between tour trucks on the range looking for a place he could drop his ball.
Pure drama.
Best dressed
A controversial choice but we are going to give it to Rory McIlroy for his bold selection of yellow and black.
Got dressed in the dark
When you’re due to tee off in the final round of the Open Championship but painting your room just can’t wait.
Quote of the day
Spieth after his victory: “I thought if it wasn’t to go my way all the questions would be about me as a major closer. And that puts pressure on you.”
WITB: The Titleist clubs Jordan Spieth used to win the Open
Is it time for Rory McIlroy to try a new caddie?
‘I wish I had given myself a better chance’
For more from Royal Birkdale, check out our dedicated Open site.
