Jordan Spieth won The Open at Royal Birkdale by three shots, after an enthralling battle with Matt Kuchar.

Spieth blew his three-shot overnight lead by the turn and trailed Kuchar after dropping a shot on the 13th.

But he wrestled back the lead with a run of birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie to finish on 12 under and win his third major after the Masters and US Open.

Spieth, 23, is the second player after Jack Nicklaus to win three of golf's four majors before the age of 24.

The world number three, who turns 24 on Thursday, is the youngest Open winner since 22-year-old Seve Ballesteros won the first of his three titles in 1979.

Spieth, who either led or tied for the lead after every round, carded a one-under-par 69, with Kuchar's 69 leaving him on nine under, while 21-year-old Li Haotong of China played the second lowest round of the tournament with a 63 to climb to third place on six under.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hit a three-under 67 to tie for fourth on five under, alongside Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello (68).

England's world number 172 Matthew Southgate finished on four under for a tie for sixth place, along with South Africa's Branden Grace, who carded the first 62 in a men's major in the third round.

Spieth will have the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship in August.

"This is absolutely a dream come true," said Spieth, who receives $1.8m (£1.4m) in prize money.

"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."

Southport's new MP was also in the crowd watching an enthralling afternoons golf.

well at least he is in the cheap seats!!

why would you wander around a golf course wearing a tie?

is he someone special?

Originally Posted by sea-salted

why would you wander around a golf course wearing a tie?

Because you're not allowed in certain VIP areas without one, and it's reasonable to assume that as the local MP he was allowed in such areas.

Never mind all this nonsense I want to know who's going to make the Big Bucks Blockbuster movie about the burglary at the defending chap's rented house.
Will it be Stallone, Cruise, Arnie or maybe even home grown talent like Statham who takes the lead?

Let's face it there's one hell of a story there about the 'crime of the century' - especially when you think there was a Copper about every 3 feet morning noon and night!
I reckon it must have been easier to win the Open with one hand in yer pocket than to pull that job off.

Originally Posted by gazaprop

Let's face it there's one hell of a story there about the 'crime of the century' - especially when you think there was a Copper about every 3 feet morning noon and night!
I reckon it must have been easier to win the Open with one hand in yer pocket than to pull that job off.

Given that the robbery took place in Formby then, if most of Merseyside's Police force were in Birkdale then it probably would have been an easy robbery.

Originally Posted by Ralphy Rylance

Given that the robbery took place in Formby then, if most of Merseyside's Police force were in Birkdale then it probably would have been an easy robbery.

Well there's a lesson to us all - never underestimate a well informed burglar - smart Alec.