The Open 2021 LIVE: Leaderboard and reaction as Collin Morikawa wins the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s
Follow all the action live from Royal St George’s
Collin Morikawa has won The Open after a stunning final round of 66 at Royal St George’s.
The 24-year-old American had started the day one shot adrift of Louis Oosthuizen but surged four clear by the turn thanks to a spectacular front-nine of 32.
Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm both mounted charges over the course of the back nine, but Morikawa then held his nerve under the most heightened pressure, with tremendous putts at the 10th, 14th and 15th to card a round of 66 and ensure himself of a two-shot victory
Follow all the reaction from what was a thrilling afternoon at Royal St George’s:
THE OPEN 2021: STUNNING FROM RAHM
Brilliant, just brilliant. Rahm hits hit tee shot at the par-three 16th to within inches of the hole - setting up a certain birdie.
Spieth finds the green in two at the 15th but he’s got a long birdie putt coming up.
And the quality gets better and better as Oosthuizen hits a long third shot to within inches of the hole at 13 - that will be a birdie for him.
Morikawa couldn’t find the upper tier of the green with his third shot at 13, so he’ll have a tough putt for his birdie there.
THE OPEN 2021: RAHM ON A ROLL
Rahm knocks in his third birdie in a row to move into a share of third place. It’s a massive putt from 15 feet, and the Spaniard is looking good as he heads into the final three holes.
THE OPEN 2021: MORIKAWA HEADING DOWN 14
Spieth heads to the tough 15th next, while it’s Morikawa and Oosthuizen’s turn to take on the presentable par-five 14th.
Morikawa lands his drive on the fairway but Oosthuizen catches the rough on the left edge.
Spieth hits a perfect drive at 15 and finds the middle of the fairway bunkers.
THE OPEN 2021: BIRDIE FOR SPIETH, BOGEY FOR OOSTHUIZEN
Great effort from Morikawa with his birdie putt at 13 but is stays up, leading to another par for the American. He is refusing to budge from the top of the leaderboard, and Oosthuizen continues to lose ground. He cannot make the par putt at 13 as he drops a further shot and moves to -10.
Spieth chips to within four feet of the hole at 14 and knocks in the birdie putt to move to within one shot of Morikawa! A huge roar greets the back-to-back birdies from Spieth.
THE OPEN 2021: BIRDIE FOR RAHM, CHANCE FOR SPIETH
Morikawa flirts with the greenside bunker with his approach at 13, but it skirts around the counter of the green and lands safely within 10 feet or so of the pin.
Oosthuizen had to chip out from the rough after missing the fairway with his drive. But his wedge shot lands within five feet or so of the hole.
Rahm went aggressive with his eagle putt. It missed, rolling four feet past the hole, but he knocks in his birdie putt to move to -9. Spieth is coming up now on the par-five. He’s on the edge of the green after two shots.
THE OPEN 2021: CHANCES TO COME AT 14
At 14, Rahm hits a beautiful shot into the par-five to set up an eagle chance. He’ll have an uphill putt onto the upper level of the green, but he’s within 10 feet of the hole.
Spieth is further back on the 14th tee and finds the fairway. Crucial moments coming up now for the chasing pack as they approach the last par-five of the day.
THE OPEN 2021: SPIETH MOVES TO -12
Morikawa’s effort at 12 falls short. The American didn’t quite get the break he was looking for on that one.
It opens the door for Oosthuizen, who made a brilliant approach to eight feet or so of the hole. The South African’s effort is on the line but is hit with a touch too much pace and it lips out.
It’s Spieth who takes his chance, however, ahead at 13. The 2017 champion hit a wedge to six feet of the hole before rolling in the birdie putt to move within two shots of Morikawa.
THE OPEN 2021: MORIKAWA CHANCE AT 12
Another brilliant approach from Morikawa into the 12th green sets up a birdie chance. The American is pin-high, around 12 feet away from the hole.
Rahm finally gets a birdie putt to fall as he makes a three at the par-four 13th. That moves the Spaniard to -8 and in a share of third place.
At the 18th, Shane Lowry gets a wonderful reception as he approaches the green as defending champion for the final time. The Irishman wraps up his week with a par to complete a round of 69 and finish -6 overall. That looks good enough for a top 20 finish, which is a respectable showing from the defending champion.
THE OPEN 2021: PAR FOR SPIETH AT 12
Spieth hits a wonderful chip to get up and down for his par, as he remains three shots behind Morikawa. That’s a chance gone, though, as the 12th has been the third easiest hole on the course today.
Robert McIntyre finishes his round with a par at the 18th for an excellent 67. The Scot finishes -7 overall and looks set to be the best-placed British player at Royal St George’s this week.
THE OPEN 2021: OOSTHUIZEN MAKES BIRDIE AT 11
Oosthuizen gets his first birdie of the day to move back to -11. That was all about the tee shot, but he finished the job by tucking in the birdie putt from four feet.
Morikawa moves on with his par after a strong two-putt.
Spieth takes on the pin at the 12th but he gets a tough bounce and his ball ends up down the back of the green.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments