Thrilling Sunday at Open Royal Birkdale

In a thrilling all-American tussle, it was 23-year old Jordan Spieth from Texas who came out on top at Royal Birkdale on Sunday snatching the Claret Jug from Matt Kuchar in the 146th Open Championship (20—23 July) with a score of 12-under par, winning by three clear shots.

 

It was a brilliant display of golf, more reminiscent of the bi-annual Ryder Cup clash between Europe and America.  Only this time it was a matter of honour between two Americans seeking to become the Champion Golfer of the Year.

 

Battled out on the historic par-70 links course of Royal Birkdale, located in the seaside town of Southport in north-west England, the 2016 Ryder Cup comrades put on a classic match-play duel in arguably the most prestigious stroke-play championship in the world: The Open.  Whilst Spieth either had or shared the lead from day one with the likes of Kuchar, Brooks Koepka and momentarily with England’s Richard Bland who, playing in his second Open since his debut in 1998, managed to claw his way to 5-under par at one point, it was only Matt Kuchar who managed to hang on in there, until the bitter end.

 

Many congratulations to you, Jordan Spieth – Champion Golfer of the Year – your third Major victory, so far.  Truly impressive!  And Happy 24th Birthday today too! 

 

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

READ MORE about the Open at Royal Birkdale

 

PICTURED:  2017 Open Champion Jordan Spieth kissing the Claret Jug.