NEWS: The Latest from the Links

The Open 2005: Round Four

Tiger Woods left St Andrews today as the new Open champion. A final round 70 brought him to 14 under par.

The 29-year-old world number one has won twice on the Old Course and his name is now inextricably linked to the Home of Golf.

‘This is as good as it gets,’ said Woods after his five stroke victory. ‘Everyone dreams of winning the Open championship and they always dream about doing it here at St Andrews.’

Woods has now won ten majors and has collected two career grand slams, both of them completed on the Old Course.

Colin Montgomerie finished in second place, five shots back, after returning a par 72. Three under at the turn, he had closed to within one of the leader but bogies at 11 and 13 saw his challenge falter. Cheered on the whole way round by a flag-waving gallery, the Scot achieved his best Open finish. ‘There's no disgrace in finishing second to the best player in the world,' said Montgomerie, before adding: ‘I beat everyone else.’

Fred Couples and José Maria Olazábal both came home in 280 to claim a share of third place on an unusually strong leader board.

There was delight for 19-year-old St Andrews Links Trophy winner, Lloyd Saltman, who won the Silver Medal for best amateur. Lloyd birdied 18 to finish on 5 under par, pipping fellow-Scot, Eric Ramsay, by a shot. Saltman’s tie for 15 th place gains him automatic qualification for next year’s Open at Hoylake.

St Andrews continues to produce great champions and exciting competition. This Open will live long in the memory.

The 2005 Open attracted a total attendance of 223,000, with 50,000 having passed through the gates to see Jack Nicklaus’ final round on Friday.