The final round of the 147th playing of the Open Championship had everything golf fans hopes for. From the starting of the final pairings over a dozen contenders stayed with striking distance of the lead at all times. Defending champion Jordan Spieth found himself at the top briefly but like many others stumbled down the stretch.
While the Claret Jug ultimately belongs to its first ever Italian champion, Francesco Molinari, the talk of Carnoustie was certainly Tiger Woods. With a brilliant performance to begin his day Woods quickly climbed up the leaderboard, at one point taking sole possession of the lead. The three time Open champion may have come up short but he, and the rest of the field, provided many last memories on the fourth and final round of the 2018 Open Championship.
Dialed in under pressure
With all eyes on packed leaderboard Rory McIlroy quietly positioned himself in striking distance before exploding into a share of the lead with an emphatic eagle putt at the par-5 14th hole.
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
Tiger Woods took fans on a roller coaster ride as he turned back the clocks Sunday at Carnoustie. In the final round Woods battled back into contention, captured the outright lead, stumbled backward and finally rallied back up the leaderboard.
T8 and 2 back at #TheOpen@TigerWoods is not out of it. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/oTrlkyR5W7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 22, 2018
After barely surviving the cut Friday, Justin Rose battled all the way back from tied for 69th place on Saturday to the clubhouse lead briefly on Sunday thanks to birdies on the 18th hole all four days of The Open.
.@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
Reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Xander Schauffele was in the mix all day thanks to clutch putts throughout his round.
Five players at -6 as @XSchauffele birdies the 10th.
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/UFlsI0uhTg
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
Scotland native Sam Locke closes out his final round with a par to capture the leading score by an amateur and The Open Silver Medal.
Roars on 18 as @samlockegolf finishes as the leading amateur and claim the Silver Medal.
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/LLyFsdVRKE
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
So close, but still so far
Justin Rose strikes again, this time the flag stick, with his approach on 14 for a near albatross.
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
One of the leaders throughout the entire weekend, Kevin Kisner, fell short on Sunday but reminded the Carnoustie crowd why he was a contender at 16.
Short game class from @K_Kisner#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/cVhfMkJExR
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
Webb Simpson did all he could to get up and in from the greenside bunker on the par-3 13th but came up just short.
So close for @webbsimpson1 from the bunker on the 13th.
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/yJzxb0ctWh
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
The putt that won it all
Francesco Molinari sets up his chance to take the outright lead with a spectacular approach shot into the 18th green.
.@F_Molinari will have 4 feet to lead #TheOpen outright. pic.twitter.com/u8OwjovPZu
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
On the final hole of the day Francesco Molinari clinched the 2018 Open Championship with a birdie to take the outright lead and the Claret Jug.
Is this the putt that wins the #TheOpen for @F_Molinari pic.twitter.com/kRzEhaQORE
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
