7:16:21 > 7:16:24It had been 39 years since the world's best trod the turf
7:16:24 > 7:16:29of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club while competing for the Claret Jug.
7:16:29 > 7:16:31In 2006, they returned
7:16:31 > 7:16:34and produced an Open Championship well worth the wait.
7:16:53 > 7:16:54Welcome to Hoylake...
7:16:54 > 7:16:56for the 135th...
7:16:56 > 7:16:57Open Championship...
7:16:57 > 7:17:00- at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. - It was 1967...
7:17:00 > 7:17:01since we last hosted the Open.
7:17:01 > 7:17:04- So we can't wait... - for the action to start.
7:17:06 > 7:17:10The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, also known as Hoylake,
7:17:10 > 7:17:13shares its coast location with those other notable Open Championship
7:17:13 > 7:17:18venues, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Annes.
7:17:18 > 7:17:21But, unlike them, it had fallen out of the Open spotlight.
7:17:25 > 7:17:27Until, that is, the making of a momentous
7:17:27 > 7:17:31and popular decision to take the Open back to the glorious links.
7:17:32 > 7:17:34For the vast majority of the players who arrived with
7:17:34 > 7:17:38understandable anticipation for the 135th staging of the game's
7:17:38 > 7:17:42oldest major, it was their first experience of the course.
7:17:42 > 7:17:45But many were aware of the rich history surrounding the club
7:17:45 > 7:17:49that welcomed the first of its 11 Open Championships in 1897.
7:17:52 > 7:17:54The winner back then was Harold Hilton,
7:17:54 > 7:17:56a Royal Liverpool club member.
7:17:56 > 7:18:00A decade later, the champion was Arnaud Massy.
7:18:00 > 7:18:04When Hoylake staged its fifth Open, an American showman came good.
7:18:04 > 7:18:07That was Walter Hagen in 1924.
7:18:07 > 7:18:10Six years later, the great Bobby Jones won the second leg
7:18:10 > 7:18:14of his Grand Slam, otherwise known as the "impregnable quadrilateral".
7:18:14 > 7:18:18Peter Thomson won his third consecutive Open in 1956,
7:18:18 > 7:18:22and Hoylake's most recent champion was Roberto de Vincenzo.
7:18:25 > 7:18:28The Argentine's emotional victory was achieved before many
7:18:28 > 7:18:30of the modern contenders were born.
7:18:30 > 7:18:32But that didn't prevent them from appreciating
7:18:32 > 7:18:36Royal Liverpool's hefty chapter in the annals of the game.
7:18:39 > 7:18:43Having it be part of Bobby Jones' Grand Slam is terrific and having
7:18:43 > 7:18:47it be part of Peter Thomson's three British Opens in a row,
7:18:47 > 7:18:48and de Vincenzo,
7:18:48 > 7:18:52it was neat to know that these great players walked these fairways.
7:18:54 > 7:18:58The defending champion was also keen to supplement Hoylake folklore
7:18:58 > 7:19:00with his name.
7:19:00 > 7:19:02Following a heart-wrenching three months mourning
7:19:02 > 7:19:04the death of his father and mentor,
7:19:04 > 7:19:08Tiger Woods sought to honour the late Earl Woods with more success.
7:19:11 > 7:19:13There is not a day that I don't think I will ever go through life
7:19:13 > 7:19:15without thinking about my dad.
7:19:15 > 7:19:19The bond we've had transcended just a normal parent-child relationship.
7:19:19 > 7:19:22So any time I go back to my basics and work on grip, posture,
7:19:22 > 7:19:25stance and all the things I learned from him, you know,
7:19:25 > 7:19:27I'll always think about those younger days.
7:19:27 > 7:19:29APPLAUSE
7:19:29 > 7:19:31And being back at the Open had a special
7:19:31 > 7:19:34resonance for Woods, as his father liked nothing more than
7:19:34 > 7:19:36watching his son tackle the unique challenges
7:19:36 > 7:19:40supplied by traditional golfing terrain.
7:19:40 > 7:19:42On links golf courses, you have to use your imagination
7:19:42 > 7:19:46and create shots. It presents so many different options.
7:19:46 > 7:19:48And he thoroughly enjoyed it.
7:19:48 > 7:19:52Watching me go out there and hitting all these weird shots,
7:19:52 > 7:19:53he always got a big kick out of that.
7:19:55 > 7:19:59There were genuine concerns that given such benign conditions,
7:19:59 > 7:20:01the course would be overpowered.
7:20:01 > 7:20:05But that opinion was not shared by those best qualified to judge,
7:20:05 > 7:20:06the players themselves.
7:20:08 > 7:20:12It's going to be really pure links golf this week.
7:20:12 > 7:20:17I think the golf course is so well bunkered that even with these
7:20:17 > 7:20:21calm conditions, you have still got to be careful.
7:20:21 > 7:20:22It's a great golf course.
7:20:25 > 7:20:27With the intensity of the heat wave temperatures
7:20:27 > 7:20:30and the growing size of the galleries over the practice days,
7:20:30 > 7:20:346.30 on Thursday morning could not come soon enough.
7:20:42 > 7:20:43Welcome to day one...
7:20:43 > 7:20:44of the Open Championship.
7:20:44 > 7:20:47- The waiting is over... - and the action begins...
7:20:47 > 7:20:48in what is always...
7:20:48 > 7:20:49a tense and exciting day...
7:20:49 > 7:20:51for us all.
7:20:52 > 7:20:55There were thunderstorms overnight, but nothing could dampen the
7:20:55 > 7:21:00excitement felt by Chris Moore, the Royal Liverpool club secretary.
7:21:01 > 7:21:03With electrical activity not far away,
7:21:03 > 7:21:06the start of play was delayed for 30 minutes.
7:21:06 > 7:21:10But when you've waited 39 years, that was only a minor disruption.
7:21:12 > 7:21:14After Sweden's Peter Hedblom struck the initial shot,
7:21:14 > 7:21:18Chris was overjoyed, and busy. His thoughts, predictable.
7:21:20 > 7:21:22As you can imagine,
7:21:22 > 7:21:24delighted that the Championship has come back to Hoylake.
7:21:24 > 7:21:28It has been a marvellous four or five years
7:21:28 > 7:21:32since we've known the Championship was going to return to Hoylake.
7:21:32 > 7:21:36And now that it is under way, it is absolutely wonderful to see
7:21:36 > 7:21:41so many of the top players walking our fairways after an absence
7:21:41 > 7:21:42which we regard as too long.
7:21:46 > 7:21:49'My role now is to make sure that things are working
7:21:49 > 7:21:51'in the way that the plans were set up,
7:21:51 > 7:21:55'as well as interfacing with, you know, the R&A, who bear the
7:21:55 > 7:22:00'final responsibility for the event, with the police on security matters.
7:22:01 > 7:22:07'I'm pleased to say that most of my activities have been completed now
7:22:07 > 7:22:10'and that was obviously the way I had hoped it would be.'
7:22:10 > 7:22:15So I tend to float around talking to people,
7:22:15 > 7:22:18making sure they have got what they need,
7:22:18 > 7:22:22'and obviously reacting to any emergency which may arise.'
7:22:22 > 7:22:24Pleased you did that. Very good.
7:22:26 > 7:22:28'We don't recognise the golf course much at the moment
7:22:28 > 7:22:31'because of all the infrastructure, but the atmosphere,
7:22:31 > 7:22:36'the goodwill, the enthusiasm of the members is very evident.'
7:22:36 > 7:22:38GENERAL CHATTER
7:22:42 > 7:22:46'It will be a great test for the top golfers of the world.
7:22:46 > 7:22:49'I think that it will pose questions.
7:22:49 > 7:22:53'They will not simply be able to take a driver out and hit the ball
7:22:53 > 7:22:54'wherever they wish.'
7:22:54 > 7:22:57They all have to plot their way round
7:22:57 > 7:23:03and we should end up with a great champion on a very fair test of golf.
7:23:06 > 7:23:09And those expectations were finally put to the test,
7:23:09 > 7:23:14and immediately it became apparent that Hoylake would be no pushover.
7:23:14 > 7:23:16Trouble awaited errant shots,
7:23:16 > 7:23:18but birdies were not in short supply either.
7:23:18 > 7:23:21Among the first taking advantage of greens softened by the storm,
7:23:21 > 7:23:24Mikko Ilonen, the Finn who won the millennium
7:23:24 > 7:23:28Amateur Championship on this very course six years earlier.
7:23:28 > 7:23:31APPLAUSE
7:23:33 > 7:23:37The charismatic Spaniard Sergio Garcia was also finding
7:23:37 > 7:23:38the greens to his liking.
7:23:44 > 7:23:46CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
7:23:46 > 7:23:49Would Sergio be the first European to win a major
7:23:49 > 7:23:52since Paul Lawrie's Open triumph at Carnoustie in 1999?
7:23:58 > 7:24:01As the scoreboards began to fill, it became clear that
7:24:01 > 7:24:04while many were under par, no-one was going to forge clear.
7:24:06 > 7:24:08APPLAUSE
7:24:08 > 7:24:11Of course, not everyone prospered, but Colin Montgomerie,
7:24:11 > 7:24:14second at St Andrews 12 months ago, was a surprise struggler.
7:24:14 > 7:24:17The Scot didn't survive the halfway cut.
7:24:19 > 7:24:22Tiger Woods, Monty's conqueror round the Old Course,
7:24:22 > 7:24:25was favourite to retain possession of the Claret Jug.
7:24:25 > 7:24:27He played the first hole conservatively,
7:24:27 > 7:24:29a sign of things to come,
7:24:29 > 7:24:33but shocked all and sundry with an uncharacteristic three-putt bogey.
7:24:35 > 7:24:38GROANING
7:24:39 > 7:24:42While Tiger showed early vulnerability,
7:24:42 > 7:24:45home players were acquitting themselves with distinction,
7:24:45 > 7:24:48such as the Englishman Anthony Wall, who served up
7:24:48 > 7:24:51a candidate for shot of the day with his second to the par-5 16th.
7:24:57 > 7:25:01CROWD: Ooh!
7:25:01 > 7:25:06APPLAUSE
7:25:06 > 7:25:10Another was produced by Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.
7:25:11 > 7:25:13CHEERING
7:25:13 > 7:25:16The highlight of a six-under-par round of 66.
7:25:16 > 7:25:18APPLAUSE
7:25:18 > 7:25:20Coming down there today and seeing my name up there,
7:25:20 > 7:25:22it's a lot of fun, you know?
7:25:22 > 7:25:25I know it's Thursday but I just want to get it up there come Sunday
7:25:25 > 7:25:28and be able to enjoy myself. That would be pretty nice.
7:25:32 > 7:25:34But all had one eye on Tiger who,
7:25:34 > 7:25:37despite his indifferent start and other stumbles along the way,
7:25:37 > 7:25:40refused to be flustered or grow impatient.
7:25:40 > 7:25:42Leaving the driver in the bag,
7:25:42 > 7:25:45Woods plotted his way round the fast-running course
7:25:45 > 7:25:48before causing alarm bells to ring on the 18th.
7:25:58 > 7:26:00CROWD SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT
7:26:00 > 7:26:02CHEERING
7:26:02 > 7:26:03An eagle three for a 67.
7:26:06 > 7:26:09On a day when a total of 32 players broke par,
7:26:09 > 7:26:12Tiger was only one off the lead, proudly held by McDowell.
7:26:15 > 7:26:18As for the hard-working Chris Moore, it's been a successful
7:26:18 > 7:26:21and enjoyable first day of the Championship.
7:26:21 > 7:26:23'A wonderful day.
7:26:23 > 7:26:26'We were so pleased to see the competition of the Championship
7:26:26 > 7:26:27'actually under way.
7:26:27 > 7:26:31'We couldn't be more happy that there are so many people here
7:26:31 > 7:26:32'and moving around the course happily.'
7:26:32 > 7:26:37And with good scores, some good scores under par,
7:26:37 > 7:26:39a number which are over par,
7:26:39 > 7:26:42and I think the course has held up well, despite the early rain.
7:26:46 > 7:26:48- Day two... - of the Open Championship.
7:26:48 > 7:26:49The busiest day of the week...
7:26:49 > 7:26:52- with an estimated... - 50,000 spectators.
7:26:52 > 7:26:53It's the last chance...
7:26:53 > 7:26:55(to watch all 156 players...)
7:26:55 > 7:26:57before the cut.
7:26:58 > 7:27:02Once again, the wind farm wasn't about to gather a bumper harvest.
7:27:02 > 7:27:07The beach looked especially welcoming as the mercury rocketed,
7:27:07 > 7:27:10although not quite to the unprecedented levels
7:27:10 > 7:27:11earlier in the week.
7:27:13 > 7:27:15It was wonderful for sunbathers.
7:27:15 > 7:27:17But not for those intent on fire prevention.
7:27:19 > 7:27:22It was actually quite a live issue on Tuesday and Wednesday,
7:27:22 > 7:27:24when we had temperatures over 100 degrees.
7:27:24 > 7:27:28But, nevertheless, we were exercising due caution all around.
7:27:28 > 7:27:32Merseyside Fire Brigade have two of their main engines here and a team,
7:27:32 > 7:27:37so, if anything was to happen, they are on site and could react quickly.
7:27:40 > 7:27:43Parched and susceptible, fire units were present,
7:27:43 > 7:27:47but thankfully no problems were encountered throughout the week.
7:27:54 > 7:27:57As a member of the Sunshine Tour in South Africa,
7:27:57 > 7:28:00Richard Sterne felt right at home in the heat.
7:28:00 > 7:28:02Especially on the par-3 15th.
7:28:02 > 7:28:06CHEERING
7:28:11 > 7:28:13Sterne's fellow countryman, Retief Goosen,
7:28:13 > 7:28:16was also enjoying the tropical weather.
7:28:24 > 7:28:27And many believed the twice US Open champion
7:28:27 > 7:28:28would be a significant threat.
7:28:30 > 7:28:34But, thrust into a familiar role, the man most licensed to thrill
7:28:34 > 7:28:38was Tiger Woods. Teeing off early, the Californian was quickly
7:28:38 > 7:28:43into his stride, combining accuracy from the tee with a warm putter.
7:28:52 > 7:28:54The game face was painted on
7:28:54 > 7:28:57and those hoping to catch a glimpse of something extra special
7:28:57 > 7:29:00on the dogleg 14th would not be disappointed.
7:29:06 > 7:29:09And after yet again erring on the side of caution,
7:29:09 > 7:29:11by laying well back off the tee,
7:29:11 > 7:29:15it was there that Tiger, this time employing a four iron,
7:29:15 > 7:29:19struck a marvel of a shot that resonated around the world.
7:29:31 > 7:29:34CHEERING
7:29:48 > 7:29:52And while Tiger was entertaining the crowds on the links,
7:29:52 > 7:29:55earlier in the week another larger-than-life American
7:29:55 > 7:29:59was top of the bill in nearby Liverpool city centre.
7:30:01 > 7:30:04The last time the open was played at Hoylake, The Beatles,
7:30:04 > 7:30:06who'd started their career in The Cavern Club,
7:30:06 > 7:30:09had just released Sgt. Pepper.
7:30:09 > 7:30:12With echoes of the Swinging Sixties everywhere,
7:30:12 > 7:30:16John Daly, the 1995 Open champion, was excited to perform there.
7:30:21 > 7:30:24# When you're alone
7:30:24 > 7:30:28# Raising all these kids of mine On my own
7:30:31 > 7:30:34# Living on the edge
7:30:34 > 7:30:40# Is what they say Night to the morn... #
7:30:40 > 7:30:43I think it's, like everybody else, it's more of a hobby,
7:30:43 > 7:30:44my playing and writing.
7:30:44 > 7:30:48But I collect guitars and jerseys more than anything and it's awesome.
7:30:48 > 7:30:50I mean, you look at these walls
7:30:50 > 7:30:52and you look at the back of the T-shirts
7:30:52 > 7:30:56and all the greatest artists and bands that have ever played music
7:30:56 > 7:31:00or been here and it's pretty phenomenal and, you know,
7:31:00 > 7:31:04there's a lot of history in Memphis, but not like this bar right here.
7:31:04 > 7:31:06All the greatest have played here.
7:31:19 > 7:31:22For most of the second round, Daly had pretty good rhythm,
7:31:22 > 7:31:25but I'm afraid the 18th brought the blues.
7:31:25 > 7:31:28Twice out of bounds, he recorded a treble-bogey eight
7:31:28 > 7:31:31and sadly wasn't around at the weekend.
7:31:33 > 7:31:36Several other former Open champions saw their participation
7:31:36 > 7:31:38limited to 36 holes, as well.
7:31:43 > 7:31:46Among them, US Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman
7:31:46 > 7:31:48who followed a vintage 68 with a 77.
7:31:51 > 7:31:54One of Friday's biggest moves was achieved by a player
7:31:54 > 7:31:58who's been very close to winning a major without quite pulling it off,
7:31:58 > 7:32:00America's Chris DiMarco,
7:32:00 > 7:32:05beaten in a play-off at the 2004 US PGA and 2005 Masters.
7:32:05 > 7:32:08He shot a 65 to reach nine under par.
7:32:10 > 7:32:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
7:32:19 > 7:32:23In terms of pure imagination, Jim Furyk produced one of the shots
7:32:23 > 7:32:26of the week with this dinky putt from the bunker...
7:32:28 > 7:32:32..helping him to finish five under par and firmly in the hunt.
7:32:40 > 7:32:45But, while every one of the 156 players contributed to the story,
7:32:45 > 7:32:47the headlines belonged to Tiger.
7:32:47 > 7:32:50He shot 65 for 12 under par.
7:32:50 > 7:32:54Only bettered by the 130 aggregate from Nick Faldo at Muirfield
7:32:54 > 7:32:58in 1992, on the list of low 36-hole totals in the Open.
7:32:58 > 7:33:01As you might imagine, Woods thoroughly enjoyed himself.
7:33:03 > 7:33:04'It's just a fun way to play golf.
7:33:04 > 7:33:07'We don't get a chance to play golf like this.
7:33:07 > 7:33:08'You've got to be creative
7:33:08 > 7:33:11'and you've got to really understand how to control your ball.
7:33:11 > 7:33:14'There are plenty of opportunities out there.'
7:33:16 > 7:33:19As Tiger wrapped up another fruitful day,
7:33:19 > 7:33:22Ernie Els set off and was fully aware
7:33:22 > 7:33:25of the importance of keeping Tiger firmly in his sights.
7:33:27 > 7:33:30'If he's 12 under, there's some birdies to be made out there.
7:33:30 > 7:33:33'I felt I had to get my share of them.
7:33:33 > 7:33:35'He's quite a good frontrunner.
7:33:35 > 7:33:39'You need to reach out and hold him back.
7:33:39 > 7:33:42'It will be very tough to do, but you need to get close to him.'
7:33:49 > 7:33:51With a definite target at which to aim,
7:33:51 > 7:33:54and motivated by a desire to regain the Claret Jug
7:33:54 > 7:33:58after his victory in 2002, Els played beautifully.
7:33:58 > 7:34:01An early birdie on the third established the tone
7:34:01 > 7:34:03as the South African,
7:34:03 > 7:34:05who won the Tillman Trophy as a pencil-thin teenager
7:34:05 > 7:34:08around these links in 1988,
7:34:08 > 7:34:11made a positive statement by matching Tiger's 65.
7:34:21 > 7:34:23With good cause, Ernie was content.
7:34:24 > 7:34:26I'm playing nicely.
7:34:26 > 7:34:30Obviously, after the 65, you feel quite confident
7:34:30 > 7:34:34and my injury is something of the past now, I've done the work.
7:34:34 > 7:34:37I just want to try and play as good as I can over the weekend.
7:34:40 > 7:34:43Woods, accompanied by Els in the third round.
7:34:43 > 7:34:47A mouthwatering prospect with much class a little lower down
7:34:47 > 7:34:50fiercely determined to overshadow the big two.
7:35:00 > 7:35:02- The third day... - Of the Open Championship...
7:35:02 > 7:35:05- It's called...- Moving Day... - As players...- Jostle for position...
7:35:05 > 7:35:07Ahead of the final day's drama.
7:35:08 > 7:35:10Regardless of the end result,
7:35:10 > 7:35:13it was already a proud week for Australian golf
7:35:13 > 7:35:17with an unprecedented 23 players teeing off in the Championship.
7:35:20 > 7:35:24What a fitting venue to break that record, because it was right here,
7:35:24 > 7:35:2950 years ago, that Peter Thomson won the third of his five Open titles.
7:35:29 > 7:35:32And, on the golden anniversary of that triumph,
7:35:32 > 7:35:35a great man returned to relive those wonderful memories.
7:35:36 > 7:35:40- Welcome to Hoylake.- Thank you. - Very lovely to see you again.
7:35:40 > 7:35:42- Lovely to be back. - Thank you. Fantastic. Good.
7:35:45 > 7:35:5050 years ago, it was a long way back, but, as I am here,
7:35:50 > 7:35:53I can get the same feeling I got then and that's one of,
7:35:53 > 7:35:59I suppose, exhilaration because this is a very sacred place for golf.
7:35:59 > 7:36:03In 1956, Thomson won his third successive Open.
7:36:03 > 7:36:07Half a century later, he was afforded a tribute by the club.
7:36:08 > 7:36:11Thomson also had an ambassadorial role,
7:36:11 > 7:36:14offering advice and encouragement to his compatriots
7:36:14 > 7:36:18who started out on Thursday dreaming of emulating his success.
7:36:19 > 7:36:22I think I kissed you 50 years ago!
7:36:22 > 7:36:25'None of these boys were born or even thought of
7:36:25 > 7:36:27'when I was playing at Hoylake.
7:36:27 > 7:36:31'I think Geoff Ogilvy is our best hope.'
7:36:31 > 7:36:35He's more likely to win than any of the others.
7:36:35 > 7:36:37Because of the way he plays,
7:36:37 > 7:36:42his coolness and his beautiful swing and rhythm.
7:36:42 > 7:36:47I think they're the things that one must have to be a real champion.
7:36:49 > 7:36:53Ogilvy was one of ten Australians who made the cut.
7:36:53 > 7:36:55He's given his compatriots collective belief that they
7:36:55 > 7:36:58can transport the Claret Jug down under for the first time
7:36:58 > 7:37:02since Greg Norman at Royal St George's in 1993.
7:37:02 > 7:37:04We've spoken to a lot of them
7:37:04 > 7:37:06about Geoff Ogilvy's win at the US open
7:37:06 > 7:37:09and to a man, said it's inspired them and kicked them on a bit,
7:37:09 > 7:37:12but this has always been the tournament that Aussies have
7:37:12 > 7:37:15aspired to and we still have a love/hate relationship.
7:37:15 > 7:37:17We don't have the Ashes, we'd like to have the Claret Jug.
7:37:17 > 7:37:21It's a good opportunity for them and, of course, they want to win it.
7:37:23 > 7:37:26About 15% of the field was pretty good. I'm very happy with that.
7:37:26 > 7:37:30I know everyone involved with Australian golf is happy about that.
7:37:30 > 7:37:32I would just like to see one of them go out there and do it.
7:37:32 > 7:37:37You've got to beat a pretty tough guy in Tiger Woods and it would certainly
7:37:37 > 7:37:40mean something, considering Geoff has just won the last major.
7:37:40 > 7:37:43Two in a row would be something special.
7:37:43 > 7:37:46There was no double for Ogilvy.
7:37:46 > 7:37:49He eventually finished his championship alongside Aussie
7:37:49 > 7:37:51Brett Rumford in a tie for 16th.
7:37:54 > 7:37:57After a third-round 70, Adam Scott did remain in contention,
7:37:57 > 7:38:01sharing eighth and harbouring big ambitions for the final round.
7:38:04 > 7:38:08And John Senden, who only secured his place at Hoylake by winning in
7:38:08 > 7:38:12America the previous weekend, won't forget his dash across the Atlantic.
7:38:18 > 7:38:22The second hole-in-one of the championship, this time on the 13th.
7:38:26 > 7:38:29Cheers were ringing out across the course
7:38:29 > 7:38:30and not only for the Australians.
7:38:32 > 7:38:35Japan's Hideto Tanahara was also in the groove.
7:38:39 > 7:38:42Starting out four under par, he was swiftly into his stride,
7:38:42 > 7:38:44shooting 33 on the front nine.
7:38:48 > 7:38:52The most telling forward progress, though, was made by Sergio Garcia.
7:38:55 > 7:38:57It began on the second.
7:39:02 > 7:39:07Nine-iron perfection. An eagle two and more was to come.
7:39:11 > 7:39:14Even when he was faced with what appeared to be an escape
7:39:14 > 7:39:17blocking lie on the fourth, Garcia's magic did the trick.
7:39:25 > 7:39:26Gathering momentum,
7:39:26 > 7:39:30the highest-placed European in the world rankings astoundingly
7:39:30 > 7:39:34reached the turn in 29, thanks to an eagle and four birdies.
7:39:50 > 7:39:52Suddenly, he was on Tiger's tail.
7:39:54 > 7:39:56And yet this wasn't a one-man show,
7:39:56 > 7:40:01because Garcia's playing partner, Jim Furyk, was also going well.
7:40:01 > 7:40:04The super consistent American couldn't quite replicate
7:40:04 > 7:40:06Garcia's front nine heroics,
7:40:06 > 7:40:10but he did go out in 31, mustering four birdies of his own.
7:40:20 > 7:40:22APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
7:40:24 > 7:40:27For the multitude who had again flocked to Royal Liverpool,
7:40:27 > 7:40:30it was difficult to imagine anything better.
7:40:30 > 7:40:33Hospitable weather, golf of the very highest standard
7:40:33 > 7:40:36and the opportunity to indulge in a spot of light refreshment
7:40:36 > 7:40:41before Ernie Els and Tiger Woods stepped on the first tee at 2.30.
7:40:42 > 7:40:46Golfing tales were swapped, scoreboards were scanned,
7:40:46 > 7:40:48the big screen again had magnetic qualities
7:40:48 > 7:40:52and diets were temporarily suspended for lunch at The Open.
7:40:55 > 7:40:59But few meals or beverages can compete with the lure of watching
7:40:59 > 7:41:02Tiger in action, whether through technical advancement from a
7:41:02 > 7:41:06whole variety of angles on television, or in the flesh.
7:41:09 > 7:41:12As it turned out, the Woods/Els shoot out didn't fire to
7:41:12 > 7:41:14life in the early stages, as Woods bogeyed the second
7:41:14 > 7:41:18after Els had begun inauspiciously himself
7:41:18 > 7:41:20by dropping a shot at the first.
7:41:30 > 7:41:34While Els stayed pretty much on the back foot, Tiger remained calm,
7:41:34 > 7:41:38birdied the fifth then underlined just how sweetly he was swinging
7:41:38 > 7:41:43his mid-irons with a tee shot from heaven on the ever demanding sixth.
7:41:49 > 7:41:51APPLAUSE
7:41:52 > 7:41:55The putt fell, just, and Woods improved to one under
7:41:55 > 7:41:57for the day, 13 under for the championship.
7:42:00 > 7:42:02In recent times,
7:42:02 > 7:42:05Tiger has been a little unpredictable with his driver.
7:42:05 > 7:42:08He consciously shied away from it at Hoylake
7:42:08 > 7:42:11but Chris DiMarco wasn't perturbed by seeking maximum length
7:42:11 > 7:42:15and that bold philosophy helped him to a round of 69.
7:42:19 > 7:42:22With his unconventional trademark claw putting grip,
7:42:22 > 7:42:25DiMarco was finding the hole with regularity.
7:42:30 > 7:42:33It had already been a frustrating season as he slowly regained
7:42:33 > 7:42:36full fitness following a skiing accident.
7:42:36 > 7:42:40But, much worse was trying to overcome the death of his mother,
7:42:40 > 7:42:45Norma, who had passed away on July 4th and left the family devastated.
7:42:49 > 7:42:51I have been extremely lucky
7:42:51 > 7:42:54because I've had an overwhelming amount of support.
7:42:54 > 7:42:57It's helped tremendously and obviously playing good is helping.
7:42:57 > 7:43:01It's therapeutic. I know there is divine intervention out there.
7:43:01 > 7:43:05My mum's name was Norma and I got on the first tee and the score,
7:43:05 > 7:43:08her name was Norma. As soon as I introduced myself, I got goose bumps.
7:43:08 > 7:43:11I told my caddie. I said, "She is right there with us, I know she is."
7:43:11 > 7:43:14So, I've got somebody up there on my side tomorrow
7:43:14 > 7:43:16that is going to be looking over me.
7:43:19 > 7:43:22The 1967 champion, De Vincenzo, was unable to make the trip
7:43:22 > 7:43:25back to the scene of his greatest triumph
7:43:25 > 7:43:28but octogenarian Roberto was at home, watching
7:43:28 > 7:43:32intently as another easy-going Argentine, Angel Cabrera,
7:43:32 > 7:43:36came home in 32 for a third-round 66 that placed him
7:43:36 > 7:43:37only two behind the leader.
7:43:41 > 7:43:43Here's a man with Open credentials,
7:43:43 > 7:43:47having only missed the play-off at Carnoustie in 1999 by a single shot.
7:43:52 > 7:43:55But what of the fortunes of young Garcia, who made his Open
7:43:55 > 7:43:58debut as a 16-year-old in 1996?
7:43:58 > 7:44:02Well, his approach play on the back nine was at times outstanding.
7:44:10 > 7:44:13APPLAUSE
7:44:15 > 7:44:20But his putter cooled and several birdie opportunities were wasted.
7:44:21 > 7:44:25He did, though, pick up another shot with a tap in on the par-5 18th,
7:44:25 > 7:44:29kept a bogey off his card and signed for a 65,
7:44:29 > 7:44:31one better than Saturday companion, Furyk.
7:44:33 > 7:44:36Both left the course prepared to be back in the thick of things
7:44:36 > 7:44:38the next day.
7:44:38 > 7:44:42I was very pleased the way I played all day long.
7:44:42 > 7:44:45I felt like I struck the ball very nicely
7:44:45 > 7:44:46and today was a thrill with the people
7:44:46 > 7:44:50and all the cheers coming into the greens. It was just amazing.
7:44:53 > 7:44:54Back out on the course,
7:44:54 > 7:44:56a much-needed birdie at the ninth balanced
7:44:56 > 7:45:01the books for Ernie Els who went out in 35 with no real fireworks.
7:45:05 > 7:45:09The same number of shots were required for Tiger to cover
7:45:09 > 7:45:10the front nine.
7:45:10 > 7:45:13In truth, an average day for the overnight leaders
7:45:13 > 7:45:16expected in many quarters to run away from the rest.
7:45:16 > 7:45:18The back nine saw little improvement.
7:45:18 > 7:45:22Els bogeyed the 13th but birdies at the closing par fives,
7:45:22 > 7:45:26the 16th and the 18th, enabled the three-time major champion to keep
7:45:26 > 7:45:29thinking about the possibility of claiming number four.
7:45:33 > 7:45:36Woods is normally such an unstoppable front runner,
7:45:36 > 7:45:39that his mistakes coming home were a shock.
7:45:39 > 7:45:43All things considered, it was a very un-Tiger like performance.
7:45:43 > 7:45:44Particularly on the greens.
7:45:55 > 7:45:57He was left to rue a trio of three putts
7:45:57 > 7:46:00and wonder how costly they might prove to be.
7:46:03 > 7:46:07Mind you, he did birdie two of the last three holes for a 71
7:46:07 > 7:46:08and 13 under.
7:46:10 > 7:46:13It was the 11th time that Woods had led a major championship
7:46:13 > 7:46:17heading into the final round and on every one of the previous ten
7:46:17 > 7:46:21occasions, he had staved off the challengers to triumph.
7:46:21 > 7:46:24Would that 100% record remain intact at Hoylake?
7:46:24 > 7:46:27Only if putting kinks were ironed out.
7:46:28 > 7:46:30Hopefully tomorrow I can putt better.
7:46:30 > 7:46:33If I putted normal today and take away my three putts,
7:46:33 > 7:46:36I should have fallen apart today.
7:46:42 > 7:46:44Sergio played beautifully today.
7:46:44 > 7:46:47Tomorrow, it'll be fun for both of us to go out there and try
7:46:47 > 7:46:50and win the Open Championship. But, it's not just Sergio and myself.
7:46:50 > 7:46:53There are a bunch of guys out there.
7:46:53 > 7:46:56So, we've got our work cut out for us tomorrow.
7:46:57 > 7:46:59What a Sunday to savour!
7:46:59 > 7:47:01The inability of Woods and Els to pull away
7:47:01 > 7:47:05meant that only five shots separated the top 15 players
7:47:05 > 7:47:07with only two shots covering the top six.
7:47:13 > 7:47:17As for Tiger using his driver only once in 54 holes,
7:47:17 > 7:47:22that was a tactic Peter Thompson appreciated and understood fully.
7:47:22 > 7:47:25None of these championships are won by accident.
7:47:25 > 7:47:28Somebody arriving and they haven't got any hope of winning,
7:47:28 > 7:47:30it doesn't happen like that.
7:47:30 > 7:47:33Even the ones that are long shots
7:47:33 > 7:47:37have some kind of plan in their head that they follow.
7:47:37 > 7:47:39I think that's what's so necessary.
7:47:42 > 7:47:45A ringing endorsement from a man with a deep knowledge
7:47:45 > 7:47:46of the Open's demands.
7:47:51 > 7:47:53- Welcome to... - ..the final day's action.
7:47:53 > 7:47:56- Little in sport can compare... - with the drama and the tension...
7:47:56 > 7:47:59- ..of the final round...- of the Open Championship.
7:47:59 > 7:48:02- By the end of today...- another worthy champion...- will be crowned.
7:48:04 > 7:48:07Bringing the Open back to Hoylake proved an undeniable success,
7:48:07 > 7:48:10but it did present a series of planning challenges.
7:48:10 > 7:48:13Logistics of a modern-day championship are far removed from
7:48:13 > 7:48:18those back in 1967 when the total attendance for the entire week
7:48:18 > 7:48:20was slightly fewer than 30,000,
7:48:21 > 7:48:25less than any single day of the 2006 event.
7:48:27 > 7:48:31Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Wirral Council and the R&A
7:48:31 > 7:48:34were essentially forced to work from a blank canvass.
7:48:34 > 7:48:39One of the big problems was the infrastructure needs of 2006
7:48:39 > 7:48:43are massively different from the infrastructure needs of 1967.
7:48:45 > 7:48:47A new venue is a challenge which is good for all of us.
7:48:47 > 7:48:51On the other hand, what we're trying to do is take a footprint
7:48:51 > 7:48:52from one venue to another.
7:48:52 > 7:48:55So, there are certain aspects of the championship
7:48:55 > 7:48:57that we just have to have,
7:48:57 > 7:49:00certain tents for public catering, etc.
7:49:00 > 7:49:02A certain number of grandstand seats.
7:49:02 > 7:49:04So we did have an annual footprint to work to.
7:49:07 > 7:49:11We've been able to provide space on our municipal course.
7:49:11 > 7:49:13Finding the necessary traffic plans
7:49:13 > 7:49:15to accommodate everybody coming and going,
7:49:15 > 7:49:18trying to make sure everybody can get here without waiting
7:49:18 > 7:49:20too long so people can enjoy what they've come for,
7:49:20 > 7:49:24which is to see the golf, the players and enjoy the sunshine.
7:49:26 > 7:49:29One of the most essential cogs for any Open championship
7:49:29 > 7:49:32is public transportation to and from the course.
7:49:32 > 7:49:36This year, spectators had the choice of an adapted railway service
7:49:36 > 7:49:41from Liverpool city centre or, instead, using the park and ride.
7:49:41 > 7:49:43With a huge bus fleet moving thousands of people
7:49:43 > 7:49:47on any championship day, it was the largest such service
7:49:47 > 7:49:49ever provided for at an Open.
7:49:49 > 7:49:51And it came through with flying colours.
7:49:54 > 7:49:58Having identified the best pieces of ground for the parking facilities,
7:49:58 > 7:50:03I think we got about 120 buses working to bring people in,
7:50:03 > 7:50:06and some people who've never been on a bus in their life
7:50:06 > 7:50:07have said it's been fantastic!
7:50:09 > 7:50:12Regardless of exactly how they arrived,
7:50:12 > 7:50:15the crowds for the final round were eager to soak up the atmosphere
7:50:15 > 7:50:18on what promised to be a day of high drama.
7:50:18 > 7:50:21Around midday, the leaders also started to surface
7:50:21 > 7:50:24in ample time to fine tune their respective games
7:50:24 > 7:50:26before the heat of competition.
7:50:30 > 7:50:33The defending champion checked in early and marched straight to the
7:50:33 > 7:50:36putting green for an intensive practice session
7:50:36 > 7:50:40on the three-footers that had eluded him at the tail end of round three.
7:50:44 > 7:50:48While the main men were applying the final touch to their preparations,
7:50:48 > 7:50:52trying to slip into an unshakeable zone of concentration,
7:50:52 > 7:50:55the rest of the field was supplying an engrossing warm-up.
7:50:57 > 7:51:00It hadn't been the most productive Open for the home nations,
7:51:00 > 7:51:04but Paul Broadhurst gave those around the tenth green something to cheer.
7:51:06 > 7:51:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
7:51:12 > 7:51:14Anthony Wall was also going well
7:51:14 > 7:51:16and hoping to post an early clubhouse score.
7:51:22 > 7:51:25An unlikely birdie on the third did his cause no harm.
7:51:28 > 7:51:31When the leaders finally got under way, it was with trouble
7:51:31 > 7:51:33at the opening holes.
7:51:33 > 7:51:35Jim Furyck trod water.
7:51:35 > 7:51:38He bogied the first and slipped even further back by repeating that error
7:51:38 > 7:51:40on the second,
7:51:40 > 7:51:43learning that you find Hoylake's bunkers at your peril.
7:51:45 > 7:51:48Also struggling on the first, Chris DiMarco, having found deep rough
7:51:48 > 7:51:52from the tee, partly caused by the adrenaline of the moment.
7:51:54 > 7:51:57Being in contention in a major is like a drug.
7:51:57 > 7:52:02It is so awesome to be playing when everything is on the line.
7:52:02 > 7:52:04As a player, it is the best thing in the world.
7:52:08 > 7:52:11But falling victim to a bogey on the first is not a good feeling.
7:52:11 > 7:52:13DiMarco needed this to salvage par.
7:52:23 > 7:52:26DiMarco retreats to 11 under.
7:52:26 > 7:52:29Now two behind Woods, just embarking on his final round.
7:52:34 > 7:52:36Tiger has many strengths,
7:52:36 > 7:52:40none more so than his unswerving focus from the very first hole.
7:52:43 > 7:52:48'I believe in the way I play golf. You turn a switch on the first hole.
7:52:48 > 7:52:50'You have it on the entire time.
7:52:50 > 7:52:52'You don't try any harder on each and every shot,
7:52:52 > 7:52:54'you have the same effort level,
7:52:54 > 7:52:56'give it everything you have on every shot.'
7:52:57 > 7:53:01Almost robotic in that oh-so-clinical outlook,
7:53:01 > 7:53:03poles apart from Garcia,
7:53:03 > 7:53:06who rides a wave of emotion and won't disguise his feelings.
7:53:14 > 7:53:16CHEERING
7:53:16 > 7:53:20His round off and running. A drive that merited no complaints.
7:53:24 > 7:53:27The eagerly anticipated duel had commenced,
7:53:27 > 7:53:32accompanied by the traditional media entourage along for the afternoon.
7:53:32 > 7:53:35Garcia retained sufficient nerve to par the 1st.
7:53:38 > 7:53:40CHEERING
7:53:45 > 7:53:48But would Tiger's pre-round toil on the practice green pay off?
7:53:54 > 7:53:56A positive start.
7:54:03 > 7:54:05Following a par on the 1st,
7:54:05 > 7:54:07Cabrera was stopped in his tracks at the 2nd.
7:54:09 > 7:54:12When he left the green with a treble-bogey seven
7:54:12 > 7:54:14the big man from Cordoba with bundles of support
7:54:14 > 7:54:17knew that any title aspirations had effectively
7:54:17 > 7:54:18been snuffed out.
7:54:25 > 7:54:29But there was cheerier news for fellow Argentine Andreas Romero.
7:54:29 > 7:54:32In the championship after finishing tied second in the Scottish Open
7:54:32 > 7:54:34at Loch Lomond seven days earlier,
7:54:34 > 7:54:38the 25-year-old European tour rookie who aptly won
7:54:38 > 7:54:41the Roberto Di Vicenzo Classic in his homeland last year
7:54:41 > 7:54:44made his presence felt with three birdies in a row from the 4th.
7:54:46 > 7:54:49Fuelled by that burst, Romero climbed to 11 under par.
7:54:49 > 7:54:51Only two behind Woods.
7:54:51 > 7:54:54He registered another safe and sure par on the 2nd.
7:54:54 > 7:54:57Garcia meanwhile was adding to a lengthy list of those
7:54:57 > 7:55:00who could not get to grips with that 2nd hole,
7:55:00 > 7:55:02after missing a short par putt.
7:55:03 > 7:55:06He was then presented with another shortly after, at the 3rd.
7:55:15 > 7:55:18CROWD GASP
7:55:18 > 7:55:21The raw pressure of Open Championship Sunday
7:55:21 > 7:55:24is guaranteed to expose any frailty.
7:55:28 > 7:55:31Garcia had lost two shots in three holes.
7:55:31 > 7:55:33Cracks were beginning to appear.
7:55:35 > 7:55:38In stark contrast, Woods was the epitome of self control
7:55:38 > 7:55:41and discipline, as he put together a sequence
7:55:41 > 7:55:43of four straight untroubled pars.
7:55:47 > 7:55:51The only other member of the leading group with identical figures
7:55:51 > 7:55:53for the first four holes was Ernie Els.
7:55:53 > 7:55:55On the 5th, the friendly 36-year-old
7:55:55 > 7:55:57with almost 60 worldwide titles on his CV
7:55:57 > 7:56:00had a birdie putt to catch his great rival.
7:56:07 > 7:56:09A tie at the top.
7:56:09 > 7:56:12Back down the fairway of the 528-yard par five,
7:56:12 > 7:56:14Woods was conscious of that development.
7:56:17 > 7:56:19The hole had been to Tiger's liking
7:56:19 > 7:56:21with a birdie on each of the first three days.
7:56:21 > 7:56:23And another was highly desirable.
7:56:28 > 7:56:31Although his body language suggested otherwise,
7:56:31 > 7:56:35Woods had struck a perfect approach to the heart of the green.
7:56:35 > 7:56:37He was now thinking not of a mere birdie,
7:56:37 > 7:56:41but of an eagle three, in order to led by two.
7:56:41 > 7:56:42It was quite a response.
7:56:51 > 7:56:54Refusing to be flustered by his bogey on the 1st,
7:56:54 > 7:56:58DiMarco regrouped with four pars before setting up a gilt-edged
7:56:58 > 7:57:02birdie chance on the not-so-short par three 6th.
7:57:04 > 7:57:07Sink that and he would climb to within one of the lead.
7:57:16 > 7:57:21As he has shown numerous times in the past, tenacity is second nature.
7:57:21 > 7:57:24One common factor linking all great champions
7:57:24 > 7:57:27is the priceless knack of raising their game
7:57:27 > 7:57:29at precisely the right moment.
7:57:38 > 7:57:41When it was required, Woods delivered, an eagle at the 5th.
7:57:47 > 7:57:50'I kept telling myself that basically only Ernie and I
7:57:50 > 7:57:52'have won this championship.
7:57:52 > 7:57:57'And I just think that there is a certain calmness that
7:57:57 > 7:58:04'comes about, being able to say, with honesty, "I have done this before."
7:58:04 > 7:58:07'When I am out there, that is the calmest I feel.'
7:58:12 > 7:58:17'He has an uncanny ability, when someone gets close to him,
7:58:17 > 7:58:19'to just turn it up another level.
7:58:19 > 7:58:21'He does the best in the world and that is why
7:58:21 > 7:58:23'he is number one in the world.
7:58:23 > 7:58:27Woods, two under for the day, 15 under in total.
7:58:27 > 7:58:31His overnight lead doubled thanks to one exceptionally played hole.
7:58:33 > 7:58:36For now, Els and DiMarco repelled.
7:58:36 > 7:58:39Up ahead on the 18th green the gargantuan grandstands
7:58:39 > 7:58:41were already near capacity
7:58:41 > 7:58:46as Anthony Ward put the finishing touches to a round of 69.
7:58:46 > 7:58:50When the dust settled it would transport the Londoner
7:58:50 > 7:58:53into a tie for 11th, and ensure he was the leading Brit.
7:58:56 > 7:58:58Deserved acclaim. And, a few minutes later,
7:58:58 > 7:59:01Carl Pettersson likewise closed with a birdie
7:59:01 > 7:59:03to share the clubhouse lead at nine under.
7:59:08 > 7:59:09APPLAUSE
7:59:09 > 7:59:14The fast-improving Swede bettered par in three out of four rounds.
7:59:19 > 7:59:21It was now, for players and spectators alike,
7:59:21 > 7:59:24a case of scrambling for position.
7:59:24 > 7:59:27But around the turn, it proved heavy going for Tiger's chasers.
7:59:27 > 7:59:30Els collected his first bogey of the day at the eighth
7:59:30 > 7:59:33and, disappointingly, failed to birdie the 10th.
7:59:35 > 7:59:39DiMarco did, though, and jumped into second spot by moving to 13 under.
7:59:40 > 7:59:43As for Tiger? It was business as usual.
7:59:44 > 7:59:47Finding the fairways and greens in regulation
7:59:47 > 7:59:49to make pars at six, seven, eight and nine
7:59:49 > 7:59:53before answering DiMarco's birdie at the reachable par five 10th.
7:59:53 > 7:59:54APPLAUSE
7:59:54 > 7:59:59As a result, the 30-year-old golfing superman forged three shots clear.
8:00:02 > 8:00:05Els, realising something special was an absolute must,
8:00:05 > 8:00:08did press on the deceptively testing 11th
8:00:08 > 8:00:11and only succeeded in dropping another shot.
8:00:11 > 8:00:12Steady, steady, steady!
8:00:12 > 8:00:14PEOPLE SHOUT
8:00:14 > 8:00:16SOME APPLAUSE
8:00:17 > 8:00:21With it, his hopes of victory were effectively extinguished.
8:00:23 > 8:00:25- WOMAN:- Come on, Ernie. - MAN: Come on, Ernie!
8:00:27 > 8:00:31After that, the sole challenger was DiMarco, who refused to buckle,
8:00:31 > 8:00:34having also found the 11th quite a handful.
8:00:35 > 8:00:37- MEN SHOUT - Get in.- Get in.
8:00:37 > 8:00:39CHEERING
8:00:39 > 8:00:41APPLAUSE
8:00:43 > 8:00:46DiMarco followed that spirited par with another
8:00:46 > 8:00:50at the consistently difficult 12th, but Woods stuck at 16 under
8:00:50 > 8:00:52and, with only seven holes to negotiate,
8:00:52 > 8:00:54remained three to the good.
8:01:00 > 8:01:03Woods is no stranger to the never-say-die attitude of DiMarco
8:01:03 > 8:01:05that was again exhibited on the 13th.
8:01:05 > 8:01:08A chink of light, maybe, if that could be holed.
8:01:08 > 8:01:09APPLAUSE
8:01:19 > 8:01:22Almost simultaneously, Woods, flawless till then,
8:01:22 > 8:01:26committed a rare mistake from an ideal location on the 12th fairway.
8:01:38 > 8:01:40For once, not the desired shape.
8:01:40 > 8:01:43Green missed and, approximately 300 yards away,
8:01:43 > 8:01:46DiMarco settled over his birdie attempt.
8:01:50 > 8:01:52- PEOPLE SHOUT Go on!- Go on!
8:01:54 > 8:01:55APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
8:01:55 > 8:02:00Maybe, just maybe, DiMarco's persistence was paying off.
8:02:00 > 8:02:02He now trailed by only two.
8:02:02 > 8:02:0512th, Woods was faced with an up and down
8:02:05 > 8:02:07to examine any short game maestro.
8:02:16 > 8:02:19He made a fair fist of it, but the expression spoke volumes.
8:02:19 > 8:02:22Tiger couldn't avoid a bogey and, just like that,
8:02:22 > 8:02:25his seemingly unassailable three-shot lead
8:02:25 > 8:02:26was cut to a single stroke.
8:02:30 > 8:02:31Japan would celebrate,
8:02:31 > 8:02:35as Tanihara made an uncommon three on the 14th to reach 11 under.
8:02:35 > 8:02:37APPLAUSE
8:02:40 > 8:02:42While, at the 16th,
8:02:42 > 8:02:45Adam Scott weighed in with his sixth birdie of a roller-coaster round.
8:02:45 > 8:02:47At no point, though,
8:02:47 > 8:02:51did he ever threaten to emulate Peter Thomson's triumph in 1956.
8:02:52 > 8:02:55And, with all due respect, they were now out of the frame,
8:02:55 > 8:02:58as Woods and DiMarco made almost certain
8:02:58 > 8:03:01that America's recent domination of the Open would continue.
8:03:02 > 8:03:04The big question remaining, though,
8:03:04 > 8:03:05was which of the two players
8:03:05 > 8:03:08would be carrying the Claret Jug back over the Atlantic.
8:03:14 > 8:03:17After a far from straightforward par on the 13th,
8:03:17 > 8:03:22Woods tackled the 14th and its tempting right-hand pin placement.
8:03:22 > 8:03:25Anything even marginally erring to the right gathers
8:03:25 > 8:03:28into a deep often punishing hollow. But, as he did at the fifth,
8:03:28 > 8:03:30Tiger passed the test of character with honours.
8:03:34 > 8:03:36Looking the picture of calmness,
8:03:36 > 8:03:38it was no surprise he rolled in another timely birdie.
8:03:40 > 8:03:42APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
8:03:49 > 8:03:52His two-shot lead and momentum restored,
8:03:52 > 8:03:54Tiger walked onto the 15th tee and,
8:03:54 > 8:03:59with the eyes of the sporting world trained on him, delved even deeper.
8:04:02 > 8:04:04MAN: Come on, Tiger!
8:04:07 > 8:04:10GASPS AND APPLAUSE
8:04:13 > 8:04:15Woods looking every inch a champion.
8:04:18 > 8:04:22But with his father and son adding to his already substantial support,
8:04:22 > 8:04:25DiMarco remained stubborn and birdied the 16th
8:04:25 > 8:04:28to reduce the lead once more to just one shot.
8:04:29 > 8:04:32CHEERING
8:04:32 > 8:04:34MAN: Come on, Chris!
8:04:34 > 8:04:37Yet, try as he might, and, to his enormous credit,
8:04:37 > 8:04:40no-one could possibly have tried any harder,
8:04:40 > 8:04:43DiMarco's resistance was simply not enough.
8:04:54 > 8:04:56SHOUTS AND CHEERS
8:04:56 > 8:04:58With all the calm in the world,
8:04:58 > 8:05:02Tiger converted his birdie at the 15th to restore his two-shot lead.
8:05:02 > 8:05:04APPLAUSE
8:05:04 > 8:05:06And after tapping in for his third successive birdie
8:05:06 > 8:05:08at the relatively easy par-five 16th,
8:05:08 > 8:05:10Woods was now three shots clear
8:05:10 > 8:05:12and confident of becoming
8:05:12 > 8:05:14the first back-to-back Open champion
8:05:14 > 8:05:16since Tom Watson in 1983.
8:05:17 > 8:05:20After a sustained challenge, DiMarco and Els received
8:05:20 > 8:05:24- an especially warm reception at the 18th.- See you tomorrow.
8:05:24 > 8:05:26But they were resigned to the fact that, yet again,
8:05:26 > 8:05:29Tiger had burned brighter than anyone else.
8:05:33 > 8:05:36Second place, his third in a major, was already secure.
8:05:36 > 8:05:39But professional pride was key as DiMarco,
8:05:39 > 8:05:42now runner-up in the Open, Masters and US PGA,
8:05:42 > 8:05:46sealed a back nine of 33 and a round of 68 with a birdie.
8:05:46 > 8:05:48APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
8:05:51 > 8:05:53Victory may have eluded the American,
8:05:53 > 8:05:55but in the wake of a family tragedy,
8:05:55 > 8:05:59his display was both commendable and courageous.
8:05:59 > 8:06:00CHEERING CONTINUES
8:06:00 > 8:06:03I know my mom would be very proud of me right now.
8:06:03 > 8:06:08One, for playing well, but two, just because that's how she was.
8:06:08 > 8:06:11And this doesn't change anything, it doesn't make it any...
8:06:11 > 8:06:13It just makes it a little more therapeutic.
8:06:13 > 8:06:17It just helps knowing that I know she was a big part of it out there today.
8:06:22 > 8:06:26After cranking out another par at the penultimate hole,
8:06:26 > 8:06:28Woods knew the championship was won
8:06:28 > 8:06:32and his joyous passage up the 18th was a victory parade.
8:06:32 > 8:06:37His strategy, questioned by some, had been well and truly vindicated.
8:06:38 > 8:06:42I developed a strategy to play this golf course that I thought suited me
8:06:42 > 8:06:44and I felt comfortable with it
8:06:44 > 8:06:48and I went out there and executed my game plan.
8:06:48 > 8:06:51Probably one of the best balls-striking weeks I've ever had.
8:06:53 > 8:06:57With thousands of fans, and his wife Elin there to share the moment,
8:06:57 > 8:07:00Woods, quietly and unspectacularly,
8:07:00 > 8:07:04completed the task and one of his most satisfying wins.
8:07:12 > 8:07:15SOME SHOUTING
8:07:15 > 8:07:19The par-5 saw him finish 18 under, only one shot outside
8:07:19 > 8:07:23his record 19-under winning total at St Andrews in 2000.
8:07:23 > 8:07:24APPLAUSE
8:07:24 > 8:07:26But this wasn't about statistics.
8:07:26 > 8:07:31It was all about emotion, unleashed when the realisation struck
8:07:31 > 8:07:34that his objective had indeed been accomplished.
8:07:35 > 8:07:39When he and caddie Steve Williams embraced, tears flowed.
8:07:41 > 8:07:45I guess all the things that, er, that we've gone through of late,
8:07:45 > 8:07:50and, er, I guess I'm kind of the one who bottles things up a little bit,
8:07:50 > 8:07:54but, at that moment, it just came pouring out of all the things
8:07:54 > 8:07:57that my father has meant to me in the game of golf
8:07:57 > 8:08:00and I just wish he could've seen it one more time.
8:08:00 > 8:08:02APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
8:08:07 > 8:08:09In the end, Woods won by two,
8:08:09 > 8:08:11claiming his third Open,
8:08:11 > 8:08:12but first at a venue
8:08:12 > 8:08:13other than the old course.
8:08:13 > 8:08:18It was his 11th major, tying another Hoylake champion, Walter Hagen,
8:08:18 > 8:08:21for second on the list, seven adrift of Jack Nicklaus.
8:08:24 > 8:08:29With a score of 270, the winner of the gold medal
8:08:29 > 8:08:33and the champion golfer of the year is Tiger Woods.
8:08:33 > 8:08:35HUGE CHEERS
8:08:39 > 8:08:41Woods, supremely confident,
8:08:41 > 8:08:45steadfast in the manner he tackled Hoylake, had come good.
8:08:45 > 8:08:46It was a performance of which
8:08:46 > 8:08:49his father would have been extremely proud
8:08:49 > 8:08:52and one that everyone associated with Royal Liverpool Golf Club
8:08:52 > 8:08:54will recall for many years to come.
8:08:56 > 8:08:58CHEERING
8:09:01 > 8:09:04I guess, walking around the last hole here, um...
8:09:04 > 8:09:07I got a chance to enjoy this one a little bit
8:09:07 > 8:09:13and then, um, on the last... after my last putt, er...
8:09:13 > 8:09:18I realised that, er, you know, my dad's never going to see this again
8:09:18 > 8:09:22and, um...I wish he could've seen this one last time.
8:09:22 > 8:09:24I tried at Augusta and it didn't happen,
8:09:24 > 8:09:28but, er, he was out there today keeping me calm.
8:09:28 > 8:09:30I love my dad and I miss him very much.
8:09:30 > 8:09:32APPLAUSE
8:09:36 > 8:09:38Bernard Darwin once wrote...
8:09:38 > 8:09:42"Hoylake, blown upon by mighty winds,
8:09:42 > 8:09:44"breeder of mighty champions."
8:09:44 > 8:09:46There are none mightier than Tiger.