Molinari crowned Champion Golfer of the Year

What happened on Sunday at The Open?

Francesco Molinari put on a final round masterclass to win his first major championship at The Open on what was a thrilling day of golf at a gusty Carnoustie.

The Italian – who’s currently enjoying the best season of his career – had a very simple game plan: stay patient and make as many pars as possible on a golf course that was finally baring its teeth after three calm days on the east coast of Scotland.

And he executed it to perfection. After 13 straight pars to open the round as a result of cautious play and a number of excellent scrambles, Molinari birdied the simple par-5 14^th before zipping a wedge in tight at the 18^th to close with a final birdie.

Is this the putt that wins the #TheOpen for @F_Molinari pic.twitter.com/kRzEhaQORE

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

For a man that is often so reserved in the spotlight, the final putt was greeted with a jubilant fist-pump in celebration. Who can blame him? This victory was certainly overdue; in his last six starts, the 35-year-old has three wins and two runner-up finishes. Without a doubt, Carnoustie identified the form player in the world.

Finishing up two shots behind Molinari was Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele. The story of Rose was particularly noteworthy given that on Friday evening, the Englishman rolled in a big putt for birdie on the 18^th to make the cut on the number.

McIlroy’s race looked to be run after two bogeys in the opening five holes, but birdies at 9 and 11 topped off by an eagle at the 14^th surged the former Open champion into contention.

But this will be a day that Tiger Woods will look back on and wonder whether he threw the tournament away. The 14-time major champion made two birdies on the front-nine to take the solo lead, but he would never recover from going double-bogey – bogey at 11 and 12 and would finish tied for sixth. On the positive side, Woods enters the top-50 in the world rankings for the first time since 2015 and gets a spot in the WGC-Bridgestone in a few weeks time.

As for the overnight joint leader Jordan Spieth, last year’s Open champion failed to make a birdie all day as he posted a final round 76 to finish tied for ninth.

Scotland’s Sam Locke was the only amateur to make the cut, and after a final round 78, he locks up the Silver Medal.

Full Open Championship leaderboard

Best quote

Bittersweet, but blessed.

He'll be back. ? pic.twitter.com/z6yVfO1o8H

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 22, 2018

Best stats

Rory McIlroy: 1st runner-up in a major championship

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 22, 2018

Francesco Molinari: 1st player from Italy to win a major championship. He was bogey-free over his last 37 holes. #TheOpen

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 22, 2018

With a win today, Molinari would be the first player to win a major when playing on Sunday with Tiger Woods since YE Yang at the 2009 PGA.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 22, 2018

Justin Rose was tied for 65th after the 2nd round. The worst 36-hole position by a major champion in the modern era was T-35 by David Duval at the 2001 Open.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 22, 2018

Best moments

What a ride that was! Good to have you back @TigerWoods #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/brRUFfo8xi

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Is this the putt that wins the #TheOpen for @F_Molinari pic.twitter.com/kRzEhaQORE

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

.@F_Molinari will have 4 feet to lead #TheOpen outright. pic.twitter.com/u8OwjovPZu

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

.@JustinRose99 makes four birdies in four days on 18. He will be clubhouse leader at-6.

Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/cdPDE5SmMS

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

EAGLE at 14 for @McIlroyRory. From nowhere he is back in a share of the lead.

Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/NnZXoLtQud

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Almost an albatross for @JustinRose99 Unbelievable. Eagle sends him to -5.

Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/xZsgXQPEKL

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

A prickly couple of holes for @JordanSpieth #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/jbIRC1lnQW

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Birdie at Hogan's Alley.@TigerWoods is now just two back.

Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/73gGe4LPxf

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Here we go. @TigerWoods with the birdie.

Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/botLSYyULB

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Molinari has a plan #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Si5lqBHSPA

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

Direct quotes from @F_Molinari earlier this season when we played together in China…..I saved it in my notes for a moment like this pic.twitter.com/RjZAiPhLNs

— Wesley Bryan (@wesleybryangolf) July 22, 2018

Heat map, just after noon in the east when Tiger was making his charge. Shows the amount of people talking about Tiger Woods on Twitter. #jobsecurity pic.twitter.com/Bndzxv5lKX

— Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) July 22, 2018