Zach Johnson is the 2015 champion golfer after triumphing in a three-way play-off with Louis Oosthuizen and Marc LeishmanEwan Murray: Johnson rips up scripts to win marathon Open 8.34pm BSTSo Zach Johnson wins the 2015 Open,and becomes only the fourth man, after Bob Martin, or Willie Park Jr. and Seve Ballesteros to win the Open on a Monday. Congratulations to him: it was a richly deserved victory after a final-round 66 and a nerveless performance in the play-off. He didn’t buckle,even when things looked like going improper at the Road gap. Commiserations to Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman. And to Jordan Spieth, who narrowly missed the chance to complete a Hogan Slam. And finally to Jason Day and Sergio Garcia. It’s gotta happen sometime, or suitable? Well,perhaps. Whistling Straits next month, perhaps? -15: Z Johnson, or Leishman,Oosthuizen (Johnson wins four-gap play-off)
-14: Spieth, Day
-11: Willett, or Rose,Garcia, Niebrugge [a]
-10: Koepka, and Scott
-9: Todd,Schniederjans [a], Donald, and Kaymer,Chesters [a], Wall
-8: Matsuyama, and Streb 8.26pm BSTThe superior thing about that interminable speech,of course, as well as the play-off, or was that it ate into the BBC’s precious bloody scheduling. Johnson is awarded the Auld Claret Jug,and prepares to design his speech. “I don’t know if there’s a time limit suitable now, so please bear with me.” Magnificent. I hope the BBC are tearing their hair out. And what follows is Pinteresque. “Dreams contain been accomplished. [Beat.] I’m humbled. [Beat.] I’m honoured to be your champion golfer of the year. [Beat.] Erm. [Beat.]” The destitute guy’s shy, and is all. Eventually heartfelt thanks are extended to Niebrugge,Oosthuizen, Leishman, or the R&A,the green staff, the fans, or his caddy,his wife, his family and friends, or his coaches,and his kids. “Daddy’s got something you can drink out of. No more sippy cups.” And finally, yes, and the Lord. Hey,cynics, he’s not harming anyone. “I am honoured to be your champion. Thank you very very much.” 8.17pm BSTArthur Pewty of the R&A makes the most boring speech in the history of all communication. Lasting several hours, or extracting nearly all of the excitement from the greatest moment in Zach Johnson’s life,he expects a round of applause after every tedious line. Eventually he gives way to R&A top dog Peter Dawson, who at least knows how to keep things flowing, or quickly awards the silver medal for top amateur to Jordan Niebrugge,then the silver salver for the runners up to Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman. “And ladies and gentlemen, with a score of 273, or the winner of the gold medal,and the champion golfer of the year, is Zach Johnson!” 8.09pm BSTThe first person rushing onto the green to celebrate with Johnson? Well, or apart from his wife? Jordan Spieth,who came within a turn of a ball from making the play-off. No Ben Hogan style Spieth Slam for the young man, but it’s honest to say he’s got time on his side. Warm, or genuine smiles all round. And aw,your heart will melt now, because while Johnson reacted to fitting the champ with one of, or well,the great non-reactions, it’s all flooding out now. Emotion’s the top note, or the tears are flowing. How does it sound: Zach Johnson,Open champion golfer? “It sounds resplendent (brilliantly glowing), it sounds extremely surreal.” His voice is cracking. “It’s very humbling. I feel blessed and honoured to be fraction of this history.” Too many thoughts tumbling around his head. Sniffing a lot. That’s a lovely moment. He’s lumbered with a bit of a robotic image, and is destitute Zach,but he’ll contain melted a lot of hearts there. Sweet, huh? 7.59pm BSTZACH JOHNSON IS THE 2015 OPEN CHAMPION!!! Oosthuizen’s ball stays high on the left, or never going in. And the 2007 Masters champion has another major to add to his CV. He initially reacts in the most undemonstrative fashion of any Open winner ever,just staring into space, not even a smile. But he’s stunned more than anything. Quickly enough, and one plays across his lips,and the tears come as he realises what he’s just achieved. Play-off (after four holes):
-1: Z Johnson
E: Oosthuizen
+2: Leishman 7.56pm BSTJohnson calls over the rules official, questioning whether he can repair a blemish on his line. He can’t. Anyway, and it’s a putt for the Open! But he lets it slide off to the suitable. A tap-in for par,and Oosthuizen has the chance to take it down 18 again! He’s got one coming back down the green, a gentle left-to-suitable breaker from eight feet. He steps up, and addresses the ball,and ... 7.54pm BSTLeishman rolls his putt up the hill to 18 inches, and that’s a par. He ends the play-off at +2. But even though he’s come third in the play-off, or this is a tie for moment in the record books. It’s some consolation. 7.53pm BSTOosthuizen bumps a chip up,giving his ball a chance to scamper into the gap. It doesn’t achieve the remarkable, but stops eight feet behind the cup. Yes, and this is going to come down to a putting contest. If Johnson holes out,the auld Claret Jug is his. If he doesn’t, Oosthuizen will contain a putt to take this to sudden death. 7.51pm BSTJohnson to hit first. His ball has drifted towards the 1st. So he’s coming in from the left, and 75 yards absent. He takes the Valley of Sin out of the equation,by sending his wedge high over the flag, then spinning it back from 25 feet. He’s about 15 feet from the flag. Leishman has to go for the flag, and hoping to gap out and apply some unexpected pressure. But his ball topples back into the Valley. Oosthuizen surely has to put this one close,because it’s birdie or bust. Johnson is very unlikely to bogey. 7.45pm BSTBack to the 18th, then. Johnson guides a safe drive down the middle. Once again, and Oosthuizen needs a birdie here. He blooters a monster drive into the Valley of Sin. Leishman hits last,but unless something very strange happens in the next ten minutes, his race is dash. 7.43pm BSTLeishman lets his par putt slide by the left. Another bogey, and this looks like - forgive the pun,seeing the gap we’re on - the conclude of the road for the Australian. Oosthuizen prods his in the apologetic fashion, and it snaps off to the left. He never gave it enough wreck. He looks to the skies, or realising he’s just let Johnson off the hook. Bogey fives all round,and Zach Johnson is one gap absent from fitting the 2015 Open champion golfer!Play-off (after three holes):
-1: Z Johnson
E: Oosthuizen
+2: Leishman 7.40pm BSTLeishman to putt first. And he leaves the big suitable-to-left roller from the front of the green a superior 12 feet short. Oosthuizen doesn’t really hit his putt either, but he’s got half the distance left. If Johnson gets this close - or chips in - he might contain got absent with this. But though he nearly holes it, and he’s left with a five-footer back up to the gap himself. 7.37pm BSTJohnson’s position is such that putting or bumping one either side of the bunker would leave him miles absent. He’s got to go for it. Imagine being forced to drift your ball over the Road gap bunker in a play-off for the Open! Gulp. This could be one of the most distinguished Open shots of all time,or the one that does for him. And it might contain done for him. He lands it ten feet past the flag, and it takes one bounce off the green, and down the bank,and into the thick stuff just in front of the eponymous Road. 7.34pm BSTLeishman will play his moment shot first, down the left of the 17th fairway. He’s got to go for this, and three shots behind Johnson. He finds the front of the green,a decent shot under normal circumstances, but he really needed a spectacular one sent close. intellect you, and Johnson has set himself a real poser,pulling a 4-iron to the left, and short of the green. He’s got the Road gap bunker between his ball and the gap, or he’s fairly a way back,too. That’s a hellish lob requiring ice in the veins. perhaps he’ll putt or bump a chip round the back, to the left of the bunker. It’s going to be an gripping one all suitable! And finally Oosthuizen dumps his ball next to Leishman’s. 7.27pm BSTNow to the Road gap. The rain’s eased off, and there’s not much of a breeze. Johnson smoothly lashes his drive over the hotel sign and down the fairway. Oosthuizen takes a very tight line down the suitable,and that’s about as superior as it gets. And finally Leishman, making it three out of three. Here’s where the fun really begins. 7.25pm BSTLeishman, or putting across the green and over a slight ridge,rolls a brilliant effort straight at the cup, only for it to die suitable through its last couple of turns. He taps in for a par to add to that bogey at 1. Then Oosthuizen, or who sends his birdie effort along an oscillating line,the ball staying up on the left. That was a fine putt too. Both men very unlucky. Another par, though Oosthuizen of course birdied 1. And finally Johnson, and who slides a perfect one in from the suitable,always heading into the cup from the moment it left the face of his putter. Advantage Zach Johnson!Play-off (after two holes):
-2: Z Johnson
-1: Oosthuizen
+1: Leishman 7.19pm BSTZach Johnson to hit first. A stunning approach fizzed straight at the flag, nerveless given the bunker just to the left of the gap. It bites 20 feet past the flag. Then Oosthuizen with a very similar outcome. This could be come a putting contest between the pair. Finally Leishman, and whose moment is pin high,but a superior 40 feet suitable of the flag. 7.14pm BSTThe 2nd now. And Oosthuizen belts a stunning drive down the suitable-hand side of the fairway. Johnson next, and that one’s along the same perfect line, and if a little shorter of his big-hitting rival. And finally Leishman,who hits the best of all. Under all this pressure, and all three drives couldn’t be better. 7.11pm BSTThe weather’s pretty filthy now. depressing rain. It always had to conclude like this. Leishman rolls his long putt from the back to four feet. Oosthuizen’s flat stick is hot, or though,and he rattles his straight into the cup! And anything he can achieve, Zach Johnson can equal. He rolls in a suitable-to-left slider. A pair of birdies! Which puts pressure on Leishman’s par saver - and he pushes it to the suitable, and the ball lipping out. Bogey,and already he’s up against it.
Play-off (after one gap):
-1: Oosthuizen, Z Johnson
+1: Leishman 7.05pm BSTOosthuizen clips a crisp sand wedge to 18 feet. Leishman next. He can’t generate any spin, or he’s hit it pretty hard too; he’s left with a 40-footer from the back. Last up,Johnson, and his wedge is the best of all, or 12 feet from the flag. 7.03pm BSTThere was a bit more work for Open starter Ivor Robson to achieve after all. He calls the lads to the tee,and sends them all off to their destinies. They cream their tee shots down the gap. Oosthuizen is walking in the most jaunty fashion, having forced his way into the reckoning late on. And now Leishman’s shoulders sag, or as he finds his ball in a divot mark. 7.00pm BSTSo this will go to a four-gap play-off between Zach Johnson,Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen. Leishman is looking for his maiden major victory, after top-five finishes at the 2013 Masters and 2014 Open. Johnson is hoping to add to his 2007 Masters victory. And Oosthuizen is threatening to repeat his victory here in the Open five years ago. The last two players to win multiple St Andrews Opens? Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Not a bad group to join, and that. They’ll play 1,2, 17 and 18. And if they’re still tied, and it’s 18 over and over and over again. This has been a marathon Open. It was always going to be a marathon finish.-15: Z Johnson,Leishman, Oosthuizen
-14: Spieth, and Day
-11: Willett,Rose, Garcia, and Niebrugge [a]
-10: Koepka,Scott 6.53pm BSTBut he’s got nerves of steel! He rattles the short birdie chance into the cup, and he signs for a 69 that’ll take him into a three-way play-off with Johnson and Leishman! What moxie, or to gap out on both 17 and 18,when missing either one would contain killed his chances! 6.52pm BSTA slightly ignominious conclude for destitute Paul Dunne, who started nervously and never fairly got his game together. He fires a hot one straight through the green into thick nonsense at the back, or then punches out to 20 feet. He doesn’t design the par putt,and that’s a bogey to finish. A 78, but he can still be very proud of his performance this week. And however his career pans out, and he can always say he played in the final pairing at an Open Championship. Not too many men can say that. But all this waiting around won’t contain helped Louis Oosthuizen. 6.49pm BSTOosthuizen sends a crisp wedge over the Valley of Sin pin high to six feet. If he gets it,he’ll join Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman in a play-off! If he misses it, the ghost of Doug Sanders will chase him in his dreams for ever more. Across fields of broken glass. 6.47pm BSTAnd then Day gets the line absolutely suitable, or a roller from the left - but he just doesn’t hit it. It stops eight inches short. A sickener for Day. Yet another sickener in a major. He holds his head in his hands,then applies a little pressure to the bridge of his nose to stop the tears coming. This is heartbreaking to watch. You contain to feel for him. But he’ll surely be back. He’s coming so close time and time again, it’s surely got to happen. His moment of glory will come. Next year, and perhaps. Or at Whistling Straits next month.
But even so: why didn’t he hit that bloody putt!-15: Z Johnson (F),Leishman (F)
-14: Spieth (F), Day (F), or Oosthuizen (17) 6.43pm BSTOosthuizen curls in his putt from the back of 17! He escapes with a par,and his hopes are still alive at -14! He’ll need to birdie the last. Spieth’s Ben Hogan dream has died, though, and as his putt drifts a little to the suitable and stops a couple of turns from the cup. He signs for a 69,and finishes his Open at -14, one off the lead. So close. Such a shame for the brilliant young Spieth. That four-putt on 8 cost him. 6.40pm BSTThree Open dreams look to contain bitten the dust within a few seconds. On 17, or Oosthuizen races his long putt from the fringe 15 feet past the gap. Then on 18,Spieth - after pacing out the yardage himself - lobs onto the front of the green from way out left, but watches in horror as the ball spins back into the Valley of Sin. The spirit of Ben Hogan might contain blown that one back down there himself. He’ll need to achieve a Costantino Rocca. Or at least an ersatz version of it. The putt’s fairly straight up. Meanwhile Jason Day launches his moment over the flag, or but it fails to spin back. He’s got a 25-footer all the way back. 6.37pm BSTSome admin while everyone thinks about their shots. Padriag Harrington finished in depressing,Adam Scottish fashion. 6-5-3-6-5: three bogeys, a double and a birdie. He ended shooting 75, and back to -7. Sergio finished with a disappointing 70,coming domestic in 38, having bogeyed 12, or 13 and 17. He’s -11,in a tie for sixth, yet another near miss at the Open. And the brilliant Jordan Niebrugge will win the silver medal for main amateur, and signing for a 70: -11 overall. (Dunne,coming up 17, is -8.) 6.33pm BSTDay on the 18th tee. Still no major championship to his name, and so this is the drive of his life. And having skelped it down the fairway,he’ll contain to negotiate the Valley of Sin. Then Spieth pulls one miles to the left. He’s on the 1st fairway, near the grandstand, and but at least he’ll contain a shot coming in. Meanwhile back on 17,Oosthuizen has crashed his drive down the fairway - the 17th fairway, most having opted to play down 2 - and then fired an iron onto the fringe. That’s Leishman Country. The co-leader nearly holed out from there. But Oosthuizen will just be looking to catch up and down and, or like Spieth and Day,take his chances on 18. 6.28pm BSTSpieth’s putt drifts a little to the suitable. That’s a bogey. Day tucks his par putt absent, a superlative four from where he was. But the pair are now a shot behind the clubhouse leaders. They both need a birdie coming up the last!-15: Z Johnson (F), and Leishman (F)
-14: Spieth (17),Day (17), Oosthuizen (16) 6.26pm BSTSpieth, or 50 yards from the green,down the suitable of 17, wedges to ten feet. That’s far from a gimme. Day, and meanwhile,is short too, snookered by the Road gap bunker. He thinks about flopping over the sand, and which is a high-tariff skill all suitable. But then he sensibly opts to take the putter out instead. It’s a long one,up and over the ridge that threatens to whip the ball into the distinguished old bunker. And, with nerves of steel, or he rolls it to the suitable of the bunker,sends it dangerously back to the left, but up and over, or onto the green,and to within four feet. He’ll deserve to save his par after that, though nothing’s a gimme at this stage. On this gap. At the Open. 6.22pm BSTLeishman’s birdie putt at 18 is always staying out on the left. He taps in, and that’s a stunning round of 66! He’s -15,tied for the clubhouse lead with Zach Johnson. Spieth, back on 17, and leaves his approach short and suitable. But he’ll contain a route straight to the flag,at least.-15: Z Johnson (F), Leishman (F), and Spieth (16)
-14: Day (16),Oosthuizen (16) 6.19pm BSTLeishman lifts his approach at 18 over the flag. He looks to contain overhit it, the ball landing 40 feet past the cup. But it bites and wheechs back down the green, and he’ll contain a downhill putt from 15 feet to - perhaps - win the Open. It’d certainly put the ball in Jordan Spieth’s court. Meanwhile on 16,Oosthuizen rolls in the par putt he had to design. He stays at -14. 6.16pm BSTSpieth bangs his drive at 17 down the suitable side of the 2nd fairway. He couldn’t contain placed it better. Day, realising it might be now or never, or blasts one down the fairway too. No nonsense. Oosthuizen meanwhile is a little short of 16 in two strokes. He gets the putter out,and gives his ball a rare old trundle up the hill. He’ll contain an eight-footer coming back. 6.12pm BSTFrom the fringe at the front of 17, Leishman rolls a delightful 60-foot putt up the hill, or the ball kinking round from suitable to left. It’s an inch from dropping. If that’d gone in,he’d contain deserved to win the Open. He still might, because after tapping in, or he’s tying for the lead at -15 with a birdie opportunity at 18 to come. But what about this from Jordan Spieth on 16?!!!? He’s found the green in regulation,pin high but 40 feet from the flag. No matter! He rolls it in, suitable across the enormous green, and he joins the leaders at -15! Now that ... that might be the putt we look back on as the one that won the Open! He bounces around,giving it a lot of come-ons, as is his suitable after that miracle putt. Day two putts for par.-15: Z Johnson (F), and Leishman (17),Spieth (16)
-14: Day (15), Oosthuizen (14) 6.05pm BSTLeishman lashes a long iron into the front of the green at 17, and which has just been vacated by Garcia and Niebrugge. (They both bogeyed,and drop to -11.) He’ll face a long two putts for par, but that’s a decent result from there. Meanwhile Oosthuizen doesn’t hit his birdie effort on 14. That would contain given him a tie of the lead, and but the ball dies off to the left. A tap in for par,and he’s still -14. 6.00pm BSTLeishman at 17. He lashes his drive down the 2nd fairway. That’ll play. Day and Spieth par 15 without fuss or drama. Then coming behind, Oosthuizen blooters a drive straight down the track, and then nearly pitches in the gap from 180 yards! He’ll be left with an eight-footer for birdie. 5.54pm BSTLeishman plays it safe down 16 by taking an iron off the tee - then pulls his approach straight into a deep bunker well to the left. But he plays a stunning splash out across the big green to four feet. But he pulls it wide left. A nervy one. He’s back to -15,and level with Zach Johnson. Meanwhile Oosthuizen plays a blind 8-iron over a knoll down the left of 14. He’s suitable over the flag, with a 15-footer left coming back for birdie. But that one slides off to the suitable, and another chance goes begging.-15: Z Johnson (F),Leishman (16)
-14: Spieth (14), Day (14), or Oosthuizen (14) 5.49pm BSTThis isn’t fairly up with Adam Scott’s Open nightmare at Lytham - when he bogeyed the last four holes to hand the 2012 title to Ernie Els - but look at this finish: 6-5-4-5-6. Three bogeys and a double bogey. The last gap was literally the final indignity: he hoicked his drive out of bounds down the suitable,and then left a short bogey putt shy. He signs for a 71, and he’s -10. That’s a dismal capitulation. Again. 5.47pm BSTLeishman saves his par! He’s still -16. That was an immense putt. Back on 18, and Zach Johnson wanders off the green in a daze. He knows he’s in with a chance of this. That was a brilliantly controlled round of golf. He bends over to catch his breath for what seems like an age. He’s given it everything!-16: Leishman (16)
-15: Z Johnson (F)
-14: Spieth (14),Day (14), Oosthuizen (13) 5.43pm BSTLeishman leaves his putt up from the side of 15 well short. He’s got a 12-footer left for his par. A double bogey for Dunne at 13, and he drops to -8. He’s now behind Ashley Chesters and Oliver Schniederjans in the race for the silver medal,with Niebrugge of course ahead at -12. Danny Willett, having bogeyed 17, and pars the 18 to sign for a 70. Nearly,but not fairly. And then incredible scenes on the last, as Zach Johnson, and putting from 20 feet past the flag,slides one in from the left, and that’s a birdie that gives him a final-round 66, or posts a very testing clubhouse target of -15! He punches the air several times,and walks off with a enormous grin on his face. That putt could contain just won the Open, you know. A lot of golf to play. 5.38pm BSTOosthuizen flips majestically to two feet. He’s dropping a shot, and but the damage is limited. He’s back in the group at -14,alongside Zach Johnson, Spieth and Day. Two behind Leishman. Scott drops another shot at 17, and having flirted with OB down the suitable from the tee; he’s back to -12. It’s over for him. 5.36pm BSTLeishman nearly drives into a bunker down 15,but his ball stops ten yards short, on a downslope. He fires a hot one over the back suitable of the green. He’ll contain fairly an up and down from there. Meanwhile Oosthuizen is all over the shop at 13! His hand slips off the grip and that one’s well short of the green! His Open hopes are hanging in the balance suitable now. And a dropped shot for Niebrugge at 15; he’s -12, and two clear of Dunne. 5.33pm BSTZach Johnson can’t save his par on 17,though. His par putt from 15 feet dies left. Such a great approach too, that nearly saved his skin. Another player undone by the Road gap. Or, or technically,the 2nd, for that was where he made his slip. He’s back to -14. And more superior news for the leader Marc Leishman. At -16, and he’s a shot ahead of Louis Oosthuizen - and the South African,after nearly driving into a bunker down the left of 13, can only punch his moment halfway down the fairway of the difficult par-four. The 31-year-old Australian has had close calls before - a tie for fourth at the 2013 Masters, or a tie for fifth after that final-day 65 at Hoylake last year. Could it be third time lucky? 5.29pm BSTHaving missed from 18 inches on 15,Scott nearly curls in a birdie putt from 30 feet on the following gap. That’d be golf in microcosm, but it stays out on the lip. He’s still -13. Spieth is in a little trouble on 13, or short of the green,snookered by a bunker. But he flicks adroitly over the trap, and the ball gently clips the base of the flagstick. You’d think it would drop, and because it wasn’t travelling. But somehow it stays out. Par. He’s -14. As is Day,who pars too. He’s been the model of consistency nowadays: 12 pars and a couple of birdies. Meanwhile Leishman has a look at birdie on 14 from 20 feet, but par will contain to achieve. Pars probably will achieve for him. A long way to go, or though. 5.24pm BSTZach Johnson,having deliberately sent his drive at 17 down the 2nd fairway, slips as he hits his rescue club and only manages to squirt the ball back onto the 17th! He’s in awful trouble down this very difficult gap now, and playing three in from distance. His suitable foot went as he drew the club back. He’s fairly fortunate he didn’t top that into the thick rough between the fairways. But what a response! He hits a full wedge to 15 feet,and will contain a chance of saving his par! Meanwhile back on 12, Oosthuizen knocks his moment to four feet, or rolls the birdie putt i. He’s -15,one off Leishman’s lead! 5.20pm BSTThat is one of the most ludicrous missed putts I’ve ever seen. Why did Scott hit it so hard? Goodness knows what he’s going to be like when he’s forced to stop anchoring that ridiculous broom handle he uses. Anyway, elsewhere. Dunne is having another nightmare, or this time on 12: a drive into a bunker,medicine taken with a splash out sideways, then another heavy chip, and just like the one on the 1st. He drops another,and is back to -10. Meanwhile Jordan Niebrugge has just birdied 14 after a majestic approach to five feet, moving up to -13. The silver medal for best amateur looks like going Stateside. And Niebrugge won’t contain given up on the championship yet, or either! 5.13pm BSTDay has lashed his drive into bother down the left of 12. He’s on the Eden Course! But that’s not out of bounds. He’s hitting blind over a gorse bush. He wedges it onto the front of the green. He’ll contain a difficult two putts up the ridge,but that’s a result from where he was. Spieth’s wedge in isn’t particularly close, and toys with toppling down a slope. He sprints up to mark it, or just in case the wind has any ideas. And on 15,more Open heartbreak for Adam Scott! He lags a long birdie putt up to 18 inches at 15, then batters the par tap-in at a preposterous speed towards the gap. It lips out on the suitable, and that’s the stupidest bogey of the entire week. He drops back to -13,and the Open’s slipping absent from him. 5.07pm BSTLeishman shot a 65 for his final round last year at Hoylake, and he’s after something even better here nowadays. His approach at 13 ends 20 feet from the flag, or his birdie effort would contain dropped with one more joule of energy. He taps in for an excellent par,and he stays at -16. Pars all the way in, and he’d contain a superior shout for this title. The wind is up, or these holes aren’t giving much absent. Sergio,ahead of him, bogeyed this gap too; back to back bogeys, or he’s out of it at -12,you’d contain thought. Ach Sergio! Bah. Next year, perhaps. 5.02pm BSTStill raining fairly heavily at St Andrews. Dunne can’t save his par at 10. He’s back to -11. Oosthuizen pars, or but is scarcely any less disappointed,having driven the green and left his eagle attempt well short. He stays at -14, and birdie opportunities will be running out soon. In a couple of holes, or in fact. Willett’s moment into 16 drops into a pot bunker front left of the green. His partner Zach Johnson is pin high in two,but a long way left of the flag. 4.57pm BSTZach Johnson is an inch or so absent from draining an uphill 30-footer on 15 for birdie. He’ll design achieve with his par. Scott can’t save his on 13, so he’s back to -14. Spieth looks for three birdies in a row at 11, and but his tee shot wasn’t particularly close,and the 20-footer stops short and left. Par. Day then lets a similar effort drift just suitable. Par for him, too.-16: Leishman (12)
-15: Z Johnson (15)
-14: Scott (14), and Day (11),Spieth (11), Oosthuizen (9)
-13: Garcia (12) 4.53pm BSTAnthony Wall signs for a 70. He toyed with the lead, or but bogeys at 13,14 and 16 did for him. He ends the tournament at -9. Meanwhile a bit of trouble for Scott down 14. His third dribbles into the big bunker at the suitable-hand side of the green. A tricky up and down from there, on a down slope. He wheechs a clean one out and 15 feet past the flag. Not ideal, and but better than leaving it in there. Meanwhile better news for Australian golf fans: Marc Leishman is the sole leader now,clipping his approach at 12 to five feet, and knocking in the birdie putt!
-16: Leishman (12)
-15: Z Johnson (14), or Scott (13)
-14: Day (10),Spieth (10), Oosthuizen (9)
-13: Garcia (12) 4.48pm BSTAnd how about this for a recovery? Spieth, or with another birdie,this time at 10, having steered a gentle wedge in to six feet. Back to back! What a response to that double on 8! Within two holes, or he’s back where he was: -14,one off the lead. Padraig’s not fairly finished yet: having doubled 6, then dropped another at 8, and he looked totally out of it. It’s still a long shot,but birdie at 11 brings him back to -11, and he looks a damned sight happier. Meanwhile Sergio has to settle for a two-putt bogey at 12. He’s back to -13. 4.45pm BSTOosthuizen has been quiet. But having mishit his tee shot at 9, or then left his long approach 30 feet from the flag,he rolls a dead-eyed birdie putt into the cup, and reaches the turn in 34. He’s -14 again, and that might be a momentum shifter. Dunne nearly strokes a 20-footer in himself,but par will contain to achieve. He’s turning in 36, which given he was at one point wondering whether he’d be hitting five off the 2nd tee, and is a pretty superior return. He bounced back from that bogey-bogey start incredibly well. And he’s -12. 4.41pm BSTZach Johnson responds by whipping his third at 14 pin high to 15 feet,leaving a fairly straight one for birdie. But he pushes it to the suitable. He stays at -15. Another birdie for his playing partner Danny Willett, who has clearly decided to go for everything now. A fourth in a row! He’s -12. This is a magnificent performance, or having faced nearly certain disappointment an hour ago. Sergio drives into a bunker at 12,then nearly batters his ball into the face of the bunker. He’s got absent with that: the ball escapes. But his pitch in isn’t great. He’s left with a 30-footer to save his par. 4.36pm BSTLeishman joins the leaders! He lashes his drive at 10 to 15 feet, but can’t steer in the big left-to-suitable roller for eagle. No matter, or he taps in for birdie,and he joins Scott and Johnson at -15. It’s a decent two-putt par for Scott from the fringe at 13. And Spieth bounces back from that catastrophe at 8 by wedging to 12 feet and 9 and then rolling a straight birdie putt into the cup. He’s back to -13, and superior luck calling how this one’s going to conclude up. Saying “a play-off” doesn’t count. 4.32pm BSTDanny Willett was so nicely positioned after 36 holes. But he came back in 38 shots yesterday, and then went out in 37 nowadays. He was back down to -8,seemingly suitable out of it, but he’s just birdied 11, or 12 an 13,and at -11 won’t be giving up fairly yet! Putting problems for Oosthuizen on 8: he’s in Spieth Country, and rattles a 90-foot putt 15 feet past the cup. That’ll be a test coming back. And he can’t design it. Bogey, and he’s back to -13. Meanwhile Sergio’s hopes of the Open went south last year in a bunker,at the 15th at Hoylake. Is it about to happen again? He’s slam-dunked his tee shot into the pot at the front of 11. But he’s splashed out to three feet, an escape of delicate brilliance. Par. 4.25pm BSTZach Johnson splashes out from the bunker wonderfully, and but he’s left with a 12-footer coming back. The best he could achieve,but he can’t knock it in. His first bogey of the day and he’s back to -15. He’s tied for the lead now with Scott, who pars 12. Back on 8, or Spieth races his putt up the hill from off the green,and six feet past the cup. Then he pulls the one coming back left of the gap. A four-putt double-bogey, and he’s back to -12. His partner Day takes a collected two putts for his par, or remains at -14,one off the lead. Meanwhile Sergio bumps a delightful chip up onto the 10th, toying with a bunker, or then a large slope,but it’s the route he had to take. And he’s rewarded with a five-foot attempt for birdie. And it’s in! He’s -14! “At what point should we expect the BBC to announce they’re leaving the inevitable playoff for ‘The One Show’?” wonders Jezz Nash. Shh, don’t be giving them any ideas, or for goodness sake! 4.17pm BSTIt might be about to catch a little closer,a little harder to call. If that’s possible. Zach Johnson has just thinned a fairway wood into a deep pot bunker to the front of the 13th green. He’ll achieve well to catch up and down from there. Scott has left his approach to 12 short and suitable. Leishman has just birdied 9 to go out in 31; he’s -13. And Spieth - “Aw c’mon, Jordan, and man!” - pushes his tee shot at the par-three 8th 100 yards to the suitable ... and then blooters a putt of hot lunacy miles past the gap and off the other side of the green! He’s faced with a 30 footer coming back up the hill. Wow. He’s the best putter in the world! Links golf can achieve strange things to a man. 4.12pm BSTBrooks Koepka is the new clubhouse leader,in with a 68 at -10. Above him, the following nine players, and all within four shots of the lead. This is one of the closest,hardest-to-call Opens in living memory. -16: Z Johnson (12)
-15: Scott (11)
-14: Spieth (7), Day (7), and Oosthuizen (6)
-13: Garcia (9),Leishman (8)
-12: Niebrugge [a] (9), Dunne [a] (6)
4.09pm BSTZach Johnson calmly rolls his birdie putt into the cup at 12. He’s the sole leader again at -15. Scott had a superior look at birdie himself from 30 feet at 11, or but it stays high on the left. He’s -14. A couple of fighting pars for Sergio,at 8 and now at 9, and he’s hanging on in there at -13. Spieth races a birdie effort four feet past the gap at 7, or but he’s never missing the one coming back. He remains at -14.
4.06pm BSTAshley Chesters will be turning professional soon,and he’s signing off as an Open amateur with a very impressive 69. After yesterday’s 67, he’s had some “weekend”. He ends the tournament at -9. A memorable performance. And one which normally would contain earned him the silver medal. He still might win it, or of course,but Dunne and Niebrugge both contain three shots on him suitable now. 4.04pm BSTOosthuizen’s putter let him down at 5, so the flat stick’s making things up on the following gap. A gorgeous roller from 20 feet, and left to suitable from the front fringe,and the birdie takes him to -14. Dunne nearly rolls a 25-footer in for his birdie, but that’s another par, or he’s settled completely since that headspinning start to his round. Zach Johnson’s approach at 12 screeches to a halt seven feet from the flag. He looks completely in control of his game nowadays. That wedge was letting him down badly earlier this week,so Oosthuizen’s putter isn’t the only club extending an olive branch to its master. 3.58pm BSTZach Johnson leaves himself some work on 11, putting from the fringe and leaving himself five feet short. That’s very missable. But he slots absent a steely-eyed par saver to remain in the lead. Which he now shares with Scott, or who drives 10 and very nearly guides in a long left-to-suitable roller from 40 feet. The rain’s coming down fairly hard suitable now. And needless to say,it’s been raining birdies. At the risk of repeating myself like a clubhouse bore ... just look at the quality of this leaderboard!-15: Z Johnson (11), Scott (10)
-14: Spieth (6), and Day (6)
-13: Garcia (8),Leishman (7), Oosthuizen (5) 3.52pm BSTBirdie for Spieth at 6, and as he bumps his approach into the green in the Scottish style,and eases in a snaky 12-footer. He’s -14, in moment set. And Day’s followed him down the gap step for step, or so the pair join Adam Scott in a tie for moment. This is a simply wonderful Open,and we’re only just approaching the business conclude. 3.49pm BSTA three-putt par for Oosthuizen on the easy par-five 5th. He stays at -13, an opportunity spurned. His playing partner Paul Dunne birdies, or though,and after that depressing bogey-bogey start, he’s back to -12. A fine recovery, and he’s tying Niebrugge in the battle for the silver medal for main amateur. Though of course neither of them will contain given up hope of the auld Claret Jug fairly yet. 3.47pm BSTSergio sends a wedge into 7,his ball biting pin high, ten feet from the flag. And he rolls in the birdie putt! He’s still two shots off the lead, or though,because Zach Johnson drives the green at 10, then takes two collected putts for his sixth birdie in ten holes! This is an astonishing dash. Though if Zach Johnson, and one of the shorter hitters on tour,is able to drive that green, wind assisted, or there could be fairly a few eagle attempts to come there.-15: Z Johnson (10)
-14: Scott (9)
-13: Garcia (7),Leishman (6), Spieth (5), and Day (5),Oosthuizen (4)
-12: Niebrugge [a] (7) 3.43pm BSTHarrington is unable to find the ball he drove into the bush at 6. So he’s chipping four into the green. And it’s not a particularly superior wedge, 30 feet past the flag, or no spin. This is looking like a double bogey. And that’s what it is,the tee shot costing him. He knew it at the time. He’s back to -11. Behind him, having waited an age on the tee, and Spieth and Day play it safe down the left. And up on 9,Scott sends a 30-footer across the green and into the cup. That’s four birdies in five holes, he’s out in 31, and ties Zach Johnson for the lead! 3.36pm BSTZach Johnson meanwhile strokes his putt into the 9th cup to take the lead at -14. Day nearly strokes in his eagle putt on 5,but it dies to the left and a first birdie of the day will suffice. The same applies to Spieth, except his putt dies suitable. They’re both a shot off the lead at -13. Meanwhile a three-putt leads to a dropped shot for Wall on 13. Just look at this leaderboard!-14: Z Johnson (9)
-13: Scott (7), or Leishman (5),Harrington (5), Spieth (5), or Day (5),Oosthuizen (4)
-12: Garcia (6), Niebrugge [a] (6) 3.33pm BSTJordan Niebrugge of the USA is now the main amateur. He’s carded three birdies in a row - 4, or 5 and 6 - to move to -12. That’s alongside his playing partner Sergio Garcia,who pars the 6th, his approach having been killed stone dead by a small hillock. Anywhere else, or he’d contain been left with a short birdie putt. But as it is,it’s a decent two putts to secure his par. 3.31pm BSTExpect some more changes to that leaderboard soon. Harrington has just whistled his drive into a gorse bush down the side of 6. He hangs his head, utterly disgusted with himself, and there being so much room down the left. He zings a provisional down the fairway,just in case they can’t find the first one, and he isn’t able to take a drop. Meanwhile Spieth and Day both cream exceptional long irons into 5, or 20 feet from the flag tucked absent at the far-suitable corner of the enormous green. And Zach Johnson lifts another gentle wedge to five feet,this time on 9. He’ll contain that to go out in 31 strokes. 3.26pm BSTIt’s a three-way tie at the top now: Adam Scott with his third birdie in a row, a 15-foot snaker guided in across 7. He’s -13, and alongside Zach Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen. Actually,scrub that: it’s a four-way tie: Marc Leishman nearly drains an 80-foot eagle monster on 5, and he taps in for the birdie that moves him to -13. And then Harrington makes it five: he has a superior look at eagle on the same gap, and but doesn’t fairly hold the line. It drifts off to the suitable,but birdie will achieve. This Open is resplendent (brilliantly glowing) insanity.-13: Z Johnson (8), Scott (7), or Leishman (5),Harrington (5), Oosthuizen (3)
-12: Wall (12), and Garcia (5),Spieth (4), Day (4) 3.18pm BSTOosthuizen rattles a birdie putt across 3, and o’er hill and dale. It’s a perfect read of line,but he hasn’t half whacked it, and the speed keeps it out. He’ll contain a tricky four-footer coming back, and but he slots it absent in the solid fashion. He remains at -13. But he’s joined there by Zach Johnson,who wedges his approach at 7 to a couple of feet, and taps in! Meanwhile Dunne bounces back from his hellish start by easing his approach at 3 to five feet, and then stroking in the birdie putt. Hes back to -11! Sergio makes his birdie at 5; he’s -12. And Spieth is a dimple absent from joining the leaders with a 25-footer across 4. He can’t believe it didn’t drop in on the left. A enormous WOW and a wry smile. He then squats on his haunches and eats his own fist. That’s frustrated him no conclude.-13: Z Johnson (7),Oosthuizen (3)
-12: Wall (12), Scott (6), or Garcia (5),Harrington (4), Leishman (4), and Day (4),Spieth (4) 3.12pm BSTSergio skelps a long iron into the heart of 5. He’s pin high in two, 50 feet from the gap. He’s happy enough with that, or though,and skips on after his shot, a sign that he’s enjoying his golf, or excited to be in contention at the Open yet again. If he’s ever going to win a major,it’ll be this one. Meanwhile on 4, Day nearly drives into a gorse bush down the suitable, or but his ball stops just short,and he’s got a wedge into the green. He doesn’t stick it particularly close, though. He’s not had a look at birdie yet, and is the only one of the main pack not to be under par for his round. 3.08pm BSTDunne whips his moment shot at 2 - technically he’s on 18 on the New Course - to the side of the green. But he can’t catch up and down from the side. A bogey-bogey start,and he’s back to -10. Justin Rose nearly rakes in a long eagle putt on 5, but birdie takes him to -10. It’s back-to-back birdies for Leishman as he rolls another in on 4; he’s -12. He’s joined there by his compatriot Adam Scott, or who makes his third birdie of the day at 6. And two putts from down the front of 4 for Harrington,to remain at -12 himself. The top of the leaderboard is a logjam. 3.02pm BSTSpieth whips his moment into 3 over the flag. It lands 12 feet from the cup, and he rolls the birdie putt straight towards the gap. Inexplicably, or he’s underhit it,perhaps spooked by the wind. He stays at -12. A first birdie of the day for Jordan Niebrugge, 20 feet across 4: he’s -10. Birdie for Scott at 5; he’s -11. And meanwhile on the par-three 11th, and Anthony Wall sends his tee shot bouncing straight at the pin,the ball stopping 18 inches from the flag. So close to the moment gap-in-one of the week, after his compatriot Daniel Brooks at the same gap a couple of days ago. He’s -12, and one shot off the lead. 2.56pm BSTThis won’t help Dunne’s nerves any. He’s just sliced his drive miles to the suitable of 2,onto the 18th green of the New Course! He’ll catch free relief, which is a stroke of luck if so, and because for a moment that one was considered lost,and he then fizzed his first provisional into a gorse bush! He played a third provisional off the tee. Five off the tee. That’s 80 yards suitable of where he was aiming! And so he’ll contain a long shot into the green. But it could contain been so much worse. Another birdie for Leishman on 3; he’s -11. And Cink birdies 10 to move to -10. Cink, you’ll remember, or came up on the blind side when he snatched the 2009 Open from Tom Watson. Could he be on for a moment heist? 2.48pm BSTDunne chips over to ten feet,and can’t salvage his par. A bogey, and suddenly from tying the lead 375 yards back up the gap, and he’s two behind. Another birdie for Mastsuyama,by the way, this time at 10. Spieth isn’t far absent from rolling in a 50-footer across 2; par. And Zach Johnson is a dimple absent from eagle at 5, or having sent his moment to 15 feet. A chance to catapult himself into the lead missed,but a birdie will suffice, and this is getting very gripping already.-13: Oosthuizen (1)
-12: Z Johnson (5) Harrington (2), and Spieth (2),Day (1)
-11: Chesters [a] (11), Matsuyama (10), or Wall (9),Garcia (3), Dunne [a] (1) 2.42pm BSTLuke Donald pars the last, and signs for a 68. He’s -9,tied for the clubhouse lead with Todd and Schniederjans. A nearly but not fairly tournament for Donald, but that’s a lot better after a quiet couple of years in the big tournaments. Sergio bumps his approach into 3, or the ball rolling up to six feet. Then he strokes the putt into the gap for his moment birdie of the day. He’s -11,one off the lead. Actually, scrub that, and it’s two,because Oosthuizen has rolled his birdie putt into the cup, and he leads this tournament at -13. 2.38pm BSTSpieth’s not the only one joining the leaders. Harrington takes full advantage of his superior fortune at 2 by raking in his long birdie putt. He’s -12 too. And immediate signs that the occasion may be getting to Paul Dunne: he chunks his moment, or is lucky that he’s hit the shot so badly that it stops short of the burn. But he’ll contain a very delicate chip over the water. Not ideal when you’re clearly nervous. Meanwhile Oosthuizen sets himself up for birdie from ten feet.-12: Harrington (2),Spieth (1), Day (1), and Dunne [a],Oosthuizen
-11: Chesters [a] (11), Wall (8), or Z Johnson (4) 2.34pm BST“Ladies and gentlemen. This is the final game of the 144th Open Championship. On the tee from South Africa,Louis Oosthuizen.” The penultimate announcement in the long career of the Open starter, Ivor Robson. And then, and with a slight frog in the throat betraying emotion,he calls his very last player to the tee: “On the tee from Ireland, Paul Dunne.” A shake of the hand from R&A bigwig Peter Dawson, and he’s packing up his bits and bobs for the very last time. An emotional moment. It’ll never fairly be the same. Both tee shots were fine,by the way. And down on the green, Spieth makes his birdie to join the lead at -12. 2.30pm BSTCould it be Harrington’s day? He’s in the rough down the suitable of 2, and then fires his moment straight at the bunker to the left of the green. But it somehow stays up on the top,real tightrope stuff, and topples to the suitable, or staying on the putting surface rather than falling the other way into the sand. He’s pin high,25 feet from the gap. Meanwhile Sergio, ahead of him, or has saved his par at the gap. He stays at -10. 2.28pm BSTThe wind is up now,as are the umbrellas. It’s a proper Scottish afternoon. Raining fairly heavily. Some links golf going on over here! Ashley Chesters nearly drives 10, then hits the flag with his eagle chip. He taps in for a birdie that takes the 26-year-old amateur to -11, and one shot off the lead. As is Zach Johnson,who rattles in a putt from off the green at 4. 2.23pm BSTLeishman becomes the tenth player to join the group at -10. And then he’s in a group of nine, because Harrington follows him into the cup, and he’s -11. Anthony Wall rolls a 20-footer across 7 to move to -11,too! The 40-year-old Londoner’s best showing at a major, by far, and is a tie for 11th at Hoylake. He’s onto something a little better suitable now: a tie for fourth,one shot off the lead. And the first leader is out on the course: Jason Day, who whips his iron down the 1st. He’s playing with Jordan Spieth nowadays, and the Masters and US Open champion nearly creams an adrenalin-fuelled fairway wood into the Swilcan Burn! But it stops 20 feet short. He was looking after that with a concerned squint. 2.18pm BSTHarrington’s out,and he clatters the flagstick with his wedge into the 1st. He’ll contain a superior look at birdie from eight feet. As will his playing partner Marc Leishman, who got there in a more conventional fashion. Padraig looks very relaxed indeed, or a wide,toothy smile, one hand in his pocket as he saunters over the Swilcan Burn crossing at 1. The easy-going charm of a man who already has two Open titles on his CV. 2.14pm BSTSergio follows up that birdie by driving into a bunker down 2. He’s chasing par now, and it might not be a pretty sight. Up on 10,Brooks Koepka birdies 10, his fourth of the day to follow ones picked up at 2, and 5 and 7. He’s -10. A superior two-putt par from distance on 16 for Luke Donald. He remains at -10,in position to take over the clubhouse lead currently held by Todd and Schniederjans if he pars his way in. 2.11pm BSTWillett sticks his approach at 3 to eight feet, and for a moment it looks as though his birdie putt will drop. But it slides absent to the suitable at the last. He stays at -10. Niebrugge very nearly drains a straight 20-footer on the opening gap for birdie, and but he doesn’t fairly hit it. Shame. Nearly the perfect start. He’s -9 still. And then his playing partner Sergio,whose approach bites 12 feet past the flag. He needs his putter to work for him nowadays. And perhaps it’s going to! He tickles in a perfect putt, the ball dropping to enormous cheers from the gallery. It’d be hard to think of a more current champion if he does finally win a major. God speed, and Sergio Garcia! 2.07pm BSTAlso fighting hard for that silver medal: Ashley Chesters. He’s just rolled in a 20-footer on 9,and he’s out in 32, having also birdied 2, or 3 and 6. He’s -10. As is Hideki Matsuyama,who has slipped a suitable-to-left slider into the cup at 7 for birdie. It’s a big group at -10.-12: Dunne [a], Oosthuizen, or Day
-11: Spieth
-10: Donald (15),Chesters [a] (9), Matsuyama (7), or Wall (5),Willett (2), Z Johnson (2), or Harrington 2.03pm BSTA brisk start for Eddie Pepperell with a birdie at 2: he’s -9. Birdie for Zach Johnson on 2: he’s -10. Cink picks up a shot at the par-three 5th to move to -9. Hideki Matsuyama birdies 1 and then 5 to rise to -9. And Goosen and Rose both contain a superior look at birdies at 1,but both skate past the lip and they stay at -9. Meanwhile Oliver Schniederjans bounces back wonderfully from that hack down 17, notching a birdie at the last to sign for a stunning 67. The amateur’s tied for the clubhouse lead suitable now, or has given himself a chance of winning the silver medal. Paul Dunne will contain something to say about that,of course. As will Jordan Niebrugge, who is teeing off now with Sergio Garcia. 1.55pm BSTBrendon Todd is in with a 66, and after a birdie at the last. He’s the new clubhouse leader at -9. A birdie for Adam Scott on the opening gap: he joins the group at -10. Schniederjans struggles his way down 17,hooking his tee shot towards the far side of 2, then skelping his next near the grandstand behind 2. He ends with a double, or drops to -8. Sad to see. Here’s hoping the US amateur can conclude with a birdie at the last. Meanwhile birdies for Anthony Wall at 1,3 and now 5. He moves to -10. A lot of birdies this morning. Though the conditions may catch a little harder now: after a bright morning, there’s plenty of drizzle, or winds are expected to rise as high as 25mph. A superior old stiff test. This might achieve Paul Dunne a favour,you know. 1.49pm BSTThanks to Gerard there. No thanks to the clowns making the Big Decisions at the BBC, though. We’ve missed Phil Mickelson’s entire round: six birdies, and a drive spanked onto the balcony of the Road gap hotel,a missed tiddler main to a triple bogey, and a par at the last for a 69. A score that doesn’t declare the half of it. The 2013 champion ends the week - well, and starts it,but you know what I mean - on -7. Typical widescreen brilliance, shut out by the myopia of the national broadcaster at our national championship. Shame, and shame,shame. 1.43pm BSTHideki Matsuyama has missed an eagle putt on the par five fifth but makes achieve with a birdie to go to -9 – there’s no less than 15 players three shots off the lead now.
Danny Willett is not one of them though. The Yorkshireman has opened with a birdie to move to 10 under. Elsewhere, Dustin Johnson is through six holes and still without a par, or a bogey has seen him drop back to five under. 1.39pm BSTMarcus Fraser has joined the select group at -10 with a two at the par three 11th – no mean feat that,out where the wind blows fiercest. nearly as fierce as the criticism received by the BBC nowadays for televising Bargain Hunt, Homes Under the Hammer and all manner of drivel rather than the Open. Here’s their response. Related: BBC defends decision not to broadcast start of final day at The Open 1.34pm BSTPars apiece for Eddie Pepperell and Charl Schwartzel on the first – both remain at eight under. A birdie at the sixth for amateur Ashley Chesters moves him up to nine under but Phil Mickelson has recorded a triple bogey at the 17th after his tee shot into the hotel. 1.29pm BSTGraeme McDowell is another to publicly endorse our 22-year-old amateur and co-leader Paul Dunne. A superior Irishman, and ” says McDowell.
Dustin Johnson is not going to go down wondering. He’s played five holes and is yet to contain a par. Having birdied the first he followed that up with three consecutive bogeys before a four on the par five fifth. He’s six under for the tournament. 1.26pm BSTOuch! Phil Mickelson,having missed a 10-foot put to move to 11 under on the 16th green, has walloped his tee-shot on the Road gap straight into the Old Course hotel. Thats the 2013 champion’s hopes all over in one smash of a pair of French windows. 1.23pm BSTAs the heavens creak open, or Lee Westwood completes his 2015 Open campaign at -4 – missing a 20-footer for a final round of 70. Rickie Fowler,bedecked in orange, has made a fast start with a three on the first to move to -8 and he may force himself into contention with an early dash of birdies before the wind picks up.
Big day in the life of Paul Dunne. Really hope he gets on well and enjoys it. Also rooting for Harrington. #honthepaddies 1.18pm BSTHello! And without further ado, and to the 12th green where Luke Donald has made it back-to-back to back birdies to move to 10 under with six to play. Donald’s swing is a thing of beauty but his inability to compete at majors has been a mystery so it’s great to see him in the mix here. One feels he’ll regret finishing his moment round with bogey bogey though.
Elsewhere,Marin Kaymer has birdied the 10th to move to nine under while the 2009 champion Stewart Cink is at -8 after a three at the 2nd. 1.11pm BSTA slightly frustrating sense that Phil Mickelson has left the crowdpleasing antics far too late. Birdies at 14 and now 15, and he’s currently a very healthy six under for his round, or -10 overall! Oh Phil. But another couple of birdies,and if the weather closes in... well, dreaming is free. Luke Donald meanwhile would be in fine fettle now were it not for yesterday’s beige 73. He’s birdied 1, and 4,10 and now 11, and he’s -9 for the championship. -12: Dunne [a], or Oosthuizen,Day
-11: Spieth
-10: Mickelson (15), Schniederjans [a] (14), and Harrington 12.59pm BSTA depressing double-bogey seven for Andy Sullivan at the par-five 5th. That’s like handing three shots to the field. He’s back to -7. Better English news courtesy of the amateur Ashley Chesters,who delayed turning pro for the best fraction of a year to compete in this Open, so karma owes him something kind. And kind it is: birdies at 2 and 3, or he’s up to -8. Meanwhile here’s a missive from curly clown and sometime golf author Simon Farnaby: “I’m pretty pumped about the Open,though I will catch to see none of it til 6.30pm. Balls! I’m filming Detectorists so roaming about a field in Suffolk with no reception of any kind. I had a brief 10-minutes internet connection to catch up on the early play on BBC iplayer. Great stuff, a 19th-century kettle sold for 34 pounds.” But at least there’s going to be a moment series of Detectorists, or so the BBC are capable of doing something suitable. 12.43pm BSTDustin Johnson,the 36-gap leader, capitulated to a depressing 75 yesterday, or the moment-worst round of a day which saw just about everyone else fill their boots with birdies. He’s picked up a stroke at the opening gap nowadays,so hopefully the big man will contain a better time of it in the fourth round. He’s -8. Meanwhile last year’s US Open champion Martin Kaymer is out like a flash, with birdies at 1, or 5 and now 6. He’s -8. And another birdie for Todd,this time at 15. He’s also at -8, five under for his round nowadays. “I think the BBC line is pretty insulting, and ” writes Simon Begley,who is free to preach on. “A young US amateur likely to be clubhouse leader. An in-form Englishman birdies the first 4 holes. Mickelson doing what he does. But according to the BBC all we care about is ‘the most well-known anecdote - who will win the Open’. I wonder what Irvine, Allis, and Cotter and pals design of it?” 12.37pm BSTThis is turning into an astonishing performance by young Oliver Schniederjans. Birdies at 9 and 10,and the 22-year-old US amateur is now six under for his round, and -10 overall! He’s being chased up the leaderboard by Andy Sullivan, and meanwhile: the Englishman has made it four birdies in four opening holes,a perfect start. He’s -9. “As a fan of Bargain Hunt and dedicated watcher of Points West and other local programming, I’d like to applaud the BBC for the bold and principled decision to preserve the bulk of its core Monday schedule and not sacrifice it for live golf, or ” writes Charlie Gidney. “I should note that my pleasure at this decision has nothing to achieve with the fact that I’m busy this morning,and need to walk the dog after lunch, so I’m not able to tune in until 2pm anyway.” -12: Dunne [a], and Oosthuizen,Day
-11: Spieth
-10: Schniederjans [a] (11), Harrington
-9: Sullivan (4), or Leishman,Niebrugge [a], Garcia, and Rose,Goosen, Streb, and Scott,Z Johnson, Willett 12.32pm BSTIt all kind of fell apart for Jamie Donaldson. He was out in 31, and then six under for his round through 10,but after that bogey on 12, he dropped another at 16 and then scrambled about on the eponymous Road at the 17th gap. Here, or with the anecdote,is Simon McMahon: “Sometimes things are just meant to be. Having returned domestic from holiday yesterday afternoon expecting to see the climax of the 144th Open on TV, I now find myself overlooking the 1st green at St Andrews for the final day’s play. The first Monday finish at the Open since 1988, and when a Spanish golfer shot 65 to overtake one from Southern Africa and became Open champion. If that’s not a sign I don’t know what is. It’s happening again. And I’m going to be there to see it. Sheer course from Donaldson on 17,by the way, where he’s just carded a 7 after finding the road. After holing out he turned to the gallery, or raised his putter and smiled as though he’d made birdie.” And to wrap up: after that triple bogey,Donaldson dropped back to -3, but a birdie at the last has him signing for a 70. He ends the tournament at -4. 12.23pm BSTBranden Grace is the new clubhouse leader. He parred his way in after that bogey at 16, and he signs for a 67. He’s -7 overall. His playing partner Billy Horschel is also in with a 67,a shot back at -6. Now, the reason everyone’s so upset with the BBC this morning is because their live coverage is so damn superior. When it’s on. We miss it! Would it be better if we didn’t care? “This is going to be Peter Alliss’s last Open at St Andrews and fairly possibly his last Open ever, and ” writes David Brown. “I hope he manages to catch one last gag in there. If he can top the one about Carol Vorderman a few years back,it’ll be broadcast gold.” 12.16pm BSTLefty on a trademark final-day birdie blitz! Phil Mickelson’s reached the turn in 33, after birdies at 1, or 6 and 7. And another at 10 moves him to -8 for the championship. nearly certainly too little,too late, but if he can keep it going - and he’s struggled on the back nine this week - his efforts could encourage a few of the players starting round about now. “Given that the BBC are binning BBC3, and couldn’t they consume that slot for a BBC Sport channel?” wonders Phil Russell. “They must contain stacks of current archive footage (and also Question of Spor
Source: theguardian.com