Jordan Spieth has won The Open on a dramatic final day at Royal Birkdale.
Spieth lifted the Claret Jug after recording an 12 under par finish, three shots clear of his nearest competitor Matt Kuchar, at the 146th tournament’s conclusion.
Both players took the battle to the 18th hole but it was the Texan who held firm in front of a crowd that included Wayne Rooney and his Everton team mates.
The final day began with Spieth’s three-point lead placed under threat after he bogied three of his opening four holes on the Birkdale course.
A bogey on the 13th hole saw the 23-year-old lose his lead for the first time in two days and was forced to play his third shot from the practice ground.
But a majestic performance between the 14th and 17th holes ensured that Spieth became the youngest Open champion since the late Seve Ballasteros in 1979.
He said: “This is absolutely a dream come true.
“I drank some wine from the Claret Jug when Zach Johnson won it two years ago and people said that was bad luck.
“I started to believe them too after nine holes today!
“Matt, I really enjoyed battling with you buddy. I got the good breaks today. What a great champion Matt is and a class act.
“I took about 20 minutes to play a shot today. Matt took it in his stride with a smile. He sets a great example for all of us.
“I’m going to take this back to America which may upset a few of you all but I’ll return it. Thank you very much, what an incredible honour.”
China’s Li Haotong finished third, three shots behind Kucher, while Rory McIlroy was tied for fourth with Rafa Cabrera Bello on five under par apiece.