Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat signed off with his best round at The Open after carding a four-under-par 67 at The 148th Open on Sunday. Despite struggling with a knee injury and playing through the pain barrier all week, the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion showed grit and determination by ending the week on a high note.

 

 

 

 

“I managed myself really well today. I conserved my energy and managed to play in the wind. It was one of my best rounds at The Open."I've never had a good track record at The Open so it's nice to have a 67 on my card today. My job has been done for the week and I got a few weeks off to rest my knee,” said Kiradech.

 

 

The Thai had only made the cut once in his previous five appearances before he teed up at Royal Portrush this week. He started his week encouragingly with a bogey-free 68 but could not replicate his opening round efforts when he posted a 73 on the second day.

 

 

What an emotional win for Shane Lowry 

 

 

 

 

Ireland's Shane Lowry claimed a first major championship win with a dominant six-shot victory on 15 under par amid raucous scenes at The Open. Lowry started the celebrations early, his arms aloft as he squeezed through the crowds who swarmed the 18th fairway at Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush.

 

 

"This feels like an out-of-body experience," said the 32-year-old. Lowry held his nerve in the wind and rain to shoot a one-over 72, with Tommy Fleetwood second on nine-under.

 

 

 

 

England's Fleetwood briefly threatened but a double bogey on the 14th effectively ended his challenge as he finished with a three-over 74. "I can't wait to wake up on Monday morning and find out what it's going to feel like then. It's just going to be incredible," added Lowry who was mobbed before he reached the green on the last hole. Thousands of partisan fans lined the 18th to cheer Lowry's victory procession and as he turned to embrace his caddie Brian 'Bo' Martin after hitting his second shot to the green, hundreds flooded the fairway ahead of him.

 

 

Lowry's name was already being engraved on the Claret Jug as he approached the 18th green as he soaked up the adulation from the thousands gathered to witness the biggest win of his career.

 

INTERESTING SNIPPETS

• Shane Lowry wins first career major, marking the 11th major win by a first-timer in the last 16 majors; six-shot victory marks largest winning margin in a major since Martin Kaymer (2014 PGA Championship)
• Brooks Koepka becomes the fifth player to finish top-five in all four majors in a single season (Jordan Spieth/2015, Rickie Fowler/2014, Tiger Woods/2000/2005, Jack Nicklaus/1971/1973; claims the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup for the first time.
• Tommy Fleetwood posted two bogeys through 54 holes, the fewest in the field; records four bogeys in the final round to finish solo-second, his second runner-up in 18 major starts (2018 U.S. Open)
• Tony Finau finishes solo-third, his best finish in 15 major appearances; marks sixth top-10, highlighted by three top-fives
• Lee Westwood records 11 th top-five in 82 nd major; marks second-most major starts without a victory (Jay Haas/87)
• Danny Willett (T6) earns first top-10 in a major since winning the 2016 Masters, a span of 14 major starts
• After making the cut on the number, defending champion Francesco Molinari closed with a bogey-free 66

 

 

(AFP, BBC)