Open Championship 2010 report

An air of eager anticipation descended on St Andrews in the build up to the 150th anniversary Open Championship and despite some variable weather conditions it proved to be a memorable championship. This was the 28th time the Old Course had played host to golf’s oldest major championship and it was perhaps fitting that it saw the coronation of a new young champion.

After warm sunny weather at the start of the week the final practice day for the players was affected by strong gusting winds and rain.  This meant that the eagerly awaited Champions Challenge, a four-hole charity event for former Open champions, had to be cancelled.  While it was disappointing for many of the spectators already at the course it failed to dampen the spirits of the players who were looking forward to making their bids to capture the Claret Jug.

Tiger Woods “…this golf course is still in spectacular shape, and I’m looking forward to another great championship.” 

Rory McIlroy “It is St Andrews and it’s the Open, especially the 150th anniversary and everything.  It’s going to be a very special week.” 

Round One - July 15

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie struck the first drive of the 139th Open Championship at 6.30am on Thursday morning.  It was a dull and drizzly start for the players but with no wind at all it was perfect golfing conditions.  The calm day meant that players were able to take advantage to shoot some low scores in the opening round. Some of the big names were quick to make a move with Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods shooting five under par 67’s. Andrew Coltart, former St Andrews Open champion John Daly and joint course record holder Bradley Dredge were one shot better off after posting 66’s. Less well known South African Louis Oosthuizen shot 65 but the lead was taken in dramatic fashion by young Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy who broke the course record and matched the lowest score in a major championship with an excellent nine under par 63.  Having never shot higher than a 69 in previous visits to the Old Course it looked as though it might be McIlroy’s week.

Round Two - July 16

The calm conditions of the opening day were replaced by a stiffening wind on the Friday morning which continued to strengthen as the day wore on. There was a definite advantage for the early starters who got round before the conditions worsened. Play had to be suspended for about one hour in the afternoon as the winds meant that balls would not stay still on some greens. Some of those who benefited most were the likes of Paul Casey, former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and US Open champion Graeme McDowell who crept up the leaderboard.  Louis Oosthuizen took full advantage of his early tee time to move into the lead on 12 under par. Some of the leaders from the first round came to grief and none more so than McIlroy who shot an eight over par 80 to fall back to one under for the championship. The cut was much higher than expected sitting at two over par and many well known faces fell victim. Golfing legend Tom Watson, who came so close to a dramatic victory at Turnberry last year, missed the cut by two shots on four over par. As Watson finished his round late in the evening, for what he acknowledged would be his last Open at St Andrews, he posed for photographers for a memorable final walk over the Swilcan Bridge and stooped to kiss the bridge. He went on to narrowly miss a chip for eagle on the 18th. His tap-in for birdie was met with warm applause from the remaining spectators.

Round Three - July 17

The third round saw improved weather conditions which meant that several players fancied their chances of overhauling the South African leader. The likes of Casey, German star Martin Kaymer, Westwood and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares all moved up the leaderboard but it wasn’t enough to reign in the 27 year-old from Mossel Bay. Undaunted by the glare of the media, Oosthuizen  cranked up the pressure on his rivals with another fine three under par round of 69,  to finish at 15 under par overall.  That left him four shots clear of Casey and seven clear of Kaymer. Swede Henrik Stenson was one shot back on seven under with Westwood and Canizares. McIlroy recovered well after his poor second round, shooting a 69 to finish the day at four under par.

Round Four - July 18

The expected charges from the players in the chasing pack failed to materialise on the final day. Oosthuizen was coolness personified as he strolled round the Old Course for a one under par 71 to finish at 16 under par and clinch a seven shot victory. Westwood finished second on nine under par but failed to exert any real pressure on the South African. Casey came closest to mounting a challenge but as he birdied the ninth hole so Oosthuizen eagled it. When Casey drove into a gorse bush on the 12th hole it was game over. Oosthuizen could afford the luxury of bogeying the Road Hole before a par four on the last sealed his first major victory.
 
Louis Oosthuizen, 2010 Open Champion - “Everyone told me it was just a matter of me believing in myself and my first win on the European Tour really helped. But to win an Open is special. To win at St Andrews is extra special.”