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: PROBLEMS FOR OOSTHUIZEN
Disaster for Oosthuizen! From the bunker, he catches the ball too clean and sends it skimming across the green, into the opposite bunker! It’s right at the back of the trap too, which will make it a tough shot to play.
Meanwhile, Morikawa sends a beautiful chip to within inches of the hole. There’s going to be a huge swing at the top here.
THE OPEN 2021: MORIKAWA, OOSTHUIZEN AT 7
Oosthuizen finds the greenside bunker with his second shot at the par-five, we’ll have to wait and see how his ball is sitting. Morikawa is in a better position, just short of the green but on the fairway.
Up ahead, Spieth finds the bunker with his approach at the 8th.
THE OPEN 2021: MACINTYRE ON THE CHARGE
What a round this is turning out to be for Robert MacIntyre. He makes his second birdie in a row at the 13th with another excellent putt from distance. He moves to -8, in a tie for third place, and is -4 for the day with the second par five to come.
Oosthuizen and Morikawa find the fairway with their drives at 7, while Rahm immediately drops a shot on the 8th as his par putt from 10 or so feet misses the hole.
THE OPEN 2021: CHANCES TO COME FOR THE LEADERS?
The 7th hole has been the easiest on the course today, with a 4.31 average. As Rahm, Spieth and Conners have shown in the past 20 minutes, there is an eagle chance to be had if you can reach the green in two.
THE OPEN 2021: EAGLE FOR SPIETH TO MOVE TO -9
That’s more like it! After bogies in two of the previous three holes, Spieth makes eagle at the par-five 7th with a cool putt from 10 feet to move to -9. He’s then joined by Conners, who also makes eagle to join him in a tie for second.
Oosthuizen and Morikawa both find the 6th green but have length birdie putts at the par-three. Oosthuizen goes closest with a great attempt from 20 feet, but both players move on with par - neck and neck with a third of their round complete.
THE OPEN 2021: RAHM MAKES EAGLE TO MOVE TO -8
John Rahm, after a sensational approach shot at the par-five 7th, sinks the eagle putt to move to -8 and within three shots of the lead.
Dustin Johnson is also making moves, as he birdies the par-five 14th, before MacIntyre joins him at -7 with a brilliant birdie putt at 13.
THE OPEN 2021: KOEPKA CARDS 65 TO FINISH -8
An impressive effort from Koepka, who dropped to his knees after his final attempt at birdie at the 18th stopped short. Three birdies and an eagle for Koepka today, who just couldn’t make the most of his opportunities down the stretch.
-8 won’t be enough for top spot but it may be enough for Koepka to finish in the top five by the end of the day.
THE OPEN 2021: ANOTHER BOGEY FOR SPIETH
Spieth got out of the bunker at the first attempt but he still had plenty to do to save par from 10 feet. His downhill putt stops short, and he drops to -7 after back-to-back bogeys.
Oosthuizen and Morikawa find the heart of the green at 5 to set up 20+ foot birdie putts.
Corey Conners pulls a shot back at 6 after he started his round with back-to-back bogeys. Frittelli joins Koepka at -8 after he makes his second birdie in a row at the 7th.
THE OPEN 2021: ONE LAST CHANCE FOR KOEPKA?
More problems for Spieth at the 6th, perhaps, as he finds the bunker with his tee shot at the par-three.
Viktor Hovland birdies the last to complete an impressive round of 66 and move to -6 overall. The Norwegian joins a pack of players on that score, and he technically has the clubhouse lead at this stage! Although Koepka is coming down the 18th next...
THE OPEN 2021: OOSTHUIZEN BOGEY AT 4
Oosthuizen aims about 20 feet wide of the flag with his chip, hoping to catch the slope on the green and run it back towards the hole. It doesn’t quite work out that way, as the ball holds and stops about 15 feet or so from the hole. Morikawa gets closer, but still ends up about seven or eight feet away from the hole.
Oosthuizen’s downhill putt stops short before he taps in for his bogey, while Morikawa keeps his nerve to send his par putt into the middle of the hole. We’re level at the top.
Up ahead, Spieth sinks to his knees as his long birdie putt at the 5th hangs on the lip of the cup but fails to drop.
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