Collin Morikawa held off a charge from Jordan Spieth to win the 149th British Open
Debutant Collin Morikawa held off a charge from Jordan Spieth to win the 149th British Open by two shots after a scintillating final round of action at Royal St. George’s.
At just 24, Morikawa claimed his second major thanks to a bogey-free round of 66 to finish on 15 under par.
Caption: Collin Morikawa poses with the Claret Jug after winning The Open in England. Photo credit: Matthew Lewis (R&A via Getty Images).
The American had never even played in links conditions until last week’s Scottish Open when he tied for 71st, the worst finish of his professional career.
But the world number four showed no sign of inexperience as he revelled in the sweltering conditions as temperatures hit 30 degrees celsius in Sandwich on England’s south-east coast.
His flawless victory created several pieces of astonishing history, including:
— Becoming the ninth person to win the British Open on his first attempt, the first to do so since 2003; and
— A new record as the only player in golf to win two majors as a debutant after he also won the 2020 USPGA Championship
Caption: The crowd around the 18th green at Royal St George’s while Collin Morikawa is interviewed after his win in The Open. Photo credit: Stephen Pond (R&A via Getty Images).
— Becoming just the second person, alongside Tiger Woods, to win both those majors before the age of 25
— Becoming the first man since 1934 to win two majors inside his first eight appearances.