The Open 2023 LIVE: Final round golf leaderboard and updates as Brian Harman cruises to victory
Harman produced a composed final round to hold off the likes of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood to win the 2023 Open Championship at Hoylake
Brian Harman won The Open in style as a nerveless final round saw him turn his healthy overnight lead into a convincing victory for his first major title.
The 36-year-old American won by six strokes after shooting a one-under-par final round of 70 in soggy conditions at Royal Liverpool to finish 13-under for the tournament.
His overnight lead of five strokes was never truly threatened and, in the end, there was a four-way tie for second place between Jon Rahm (70), Jason Day (69), Sepp Straka (69) and 21-year-old Tom Kim (67).
Home favourites Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy showed flashes of what they were capable of and looked set to close the gap on a couple of occasions but eventually fell away in the face of Harman’s mistake-free golf. His win was built on keeping his ball out of the bunkers and his brilliance on and around the greens. He missed just one putt under 10 feet all week on the Hoylake links to deservedly lift the Claret Jug.
Follow reaction from the fourth round of the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake below:
The Open 2023
A tidy par save on the first for Thomas Pieters, who stays at +1.
The Belgian, who moved over to LIV earlier this year, will still have high hopes of featuring in Ryder Cups down the line.
Bryson on the 13th, a whipping draw from 203 yards, but it’s nestled deep into the thick rough. Another blow for the big golfer, who is +6 overall.
The Open 2023
One name who hasn’t been on television too much is Brandon Robinson Thompson, who is wearing a bright orange gilet.
At the 9th, and +5 overall, he hits a splendid tee shot to within 10 feet. The Englishman, from the Isle of Wight, who came through qualifying at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, will look to finish off a memorable week on his major debut.
The Open 2023
Andrew Putnman, +7 for the championship, has just played a magnificent, towering shot into the 11th, he’ll look for a bright finish now.
Oosthuizen’s birdie putt on the second drifts by, he remains +2 for the championship.
Scheffler, on a roll, crushes a driver on 8, but he hates it, it’s in the thick stuff and may slow his momentum after getting back to +1 for the championship.
No such problem for Brooks (+5), who finds the short stuff.
The Open 2023
Scottie Scheffler taps in for his par on six and moves to +1.
The world No 1 is three-under today, impressive resolve after a tough couple days.
The Open 2023
Scheffler is short too, and nestles into the bunker on five. It’s not right up against the wall though, so a chance to make the up-and-down for birdie.
That’s tough for Bryson, another bogey and he’s out in 36 and +6 for the championship. He’ll hope for a big back nine to build some confidence for the remaining LIV Golf events.
The Open 2023
Koepka takes a drop and plays a lovely chip off the muddy path, he’ll have a par putt coming up.
It’s a bogey in the end though and he slips back to +6 for the championship. Some of that frustration is taken out on a booming drive on the fifth.
He has just 251 yards in for his second on the 527-yard par five, but this fairway wood goes right and falls just short of the really thick stuff. Still, a great chance to get that shot back.
The Open 2023
Bryson DeChambeau is out on the course too, the American is playing with Andrew Putnam and has enjoyed an up and down round through six holes.
There is an eagle, a birdie and two bogeys, leaving him -1 today and +4 for the championship.
Meanwhile, it looks like Koepka has found his ball...
The Open 2023
It’s an earlier start on Sunday with Brooks Koepka out on the fourth currently.
The five-time major champion is currently +5 and hits a provisional ball that bounds into the greenside bunker.
The Open 2023: Fourth round at Royal Liverpool
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s fourth round coverage of 2023 The Open Championship at Hoylake.
The battle for the claret jug will see Brian Harman (-12) chased by Cameron Young, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and more.
Expect a wet and soggy day, with the course playing long as a result, and don’t forget the fierce finishing stretch at holes 17 and 18, which could bring late drama even if the leader separates themself from the field, given the potential to make anything from eagle to double bogey or worse.
Follow for live score updates, analysis and reaction from Royal Liverpool as major championship season finishes.
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