The Open 2018 - as it happened: Francesco Molinari wins first-ever Major title

All the action from the final round at Carnoustie

The Open Championship in numbers

Francesco Molinari became the first Italian player to win a major title after one of the most dramatic final rounds in Open Championship history.

Molinari, who had two wins and two second places in his previous five starts this season, carded a nerveless closing 69 at a windswept Carnoustie to finish eight under par, two shots clear of Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele.

Playing alongside a rejuvenated Tiger Woods, Molinari followed 13 straight pars with a birdie on the 14th and finished a brilliant round in fitting style with another from just three feet on the 18th.

Here's how it played out:

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[22 July 2018 18:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Schauffele jokes around with the crowd to hide his nerves.

It isn't a bad effort. A par putt to come.

Kevin Kisner can't hole his second on 18 and that means he is out of the running. Jordan Spieth has a par at best on the 17th and unless he hits the most extraordinary of hole-in-ones at the last that is him done, too.

Molinari or Schauffele.

[22 July 2018 18:44 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

XANDER SCHAUFFELE BOGEYS 17

It was close. But it didn't go in.

Near-namesake Zander Lombard had a two on 18 yesterday, and now Schauffele will have to do the same to take Molinari to a playoff.

[22 July 2018 18:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Il Tricolore flutters in the breeze.

Xander Schauffele is on the fairway, but he has to hole his second.

[22 July 2018 18:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FRANCESCO MOLINARI WINS THE 147th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

[22 July 2018 18:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A nice shot from Xander Schauffele, who has played four excellent rounds of golf in just his second Open. But it pulls up quite some way short of the hole, and he misses the birdie putt that would have sealed outright second.

Francesco Molinari wins The Open at Carnoustie at -8, with rounds of 70, 72, 65 and 69.

[22 July 2018 19:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Final Leaderboard:

 

-8 Francesco Molinari

-6 Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Kevin Kisner

-5 Eddie Pepperell, Kevin Chappell, Tiger Woods

CAMPIONE

[22 July 2018 19:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

What a tournament, what a course!

Carnoustie has delivered a fantastic Open Championship full of twists, turns and high quality golf. Until next time...

[22 July 2018 19:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Sam Locke strides onto the 18th Green and collects his Silver Medal for finishing as the top amateur.

[22 July 2018 19:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

And Francesco Molinari collects the Claret Jug. 

[22 July 2018 19:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]