2014 Open Championship
The 2014 Open Championship was the 143rd edition of golf's oldest major tournament, contested from 17 to 20 July at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, Merseyside, England.[1] Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy claimed his first Claret Jug as Champion Golfer of the Year, finishing at 17 under par (271) with rounds of 66-68-71-66, becoming the seventh player in Open history to lead wire-to-wire.[1] He edged out runners-up Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler, who tied for second at 15 under par (273), by two strokes in a dramatic final round where McIlroy's six-shot lead briefly narrowed before he steadied with birdies on the 10th and 18th holes.[1] At 25 years and 77 days old, McIlroy became the third-youngest winner of a modern Grand Slam's third leg, following his earlier victories in the 2011 U.S. Open and 2014 PGA Championship.[1] The tournament featured a field of 156 players, with the cut falling at 2-over par (146) after 36 holes, advancing 72 competitors.[2] Notable performances included Garcia's final-round 66 and Fowler's 67, while defending champion Phil Mickelson finished tied for 23rd at five under par (283).[3] Weather played a significant role, with strong winds throughout and prompting the first two-tee start in Open history on Saturday to mitigate a forecasted thunderstorm.[1] The event drew 202,917 spectators across the week, slightly down from the 2006 Open at the same venue but still reflecting strong global interest in McIlroy's breakthrough major win on links turf.[4] Organized by The R&A, the championship offered a total purse of $9.2 million (£5.4 million), with McIlroy earning $1.66 million (£975,000) for his victory—the largest first-prize in Open history at the time.[5] Royal Liverpool, hosting its 12th Open, presented a classic links challenge with firm fairways and pot bunkers, where wind and rain tested the field's accuracy and resilience. McIlroy's triumph marked the third Northern Irish winner of the event, following Fred Daly (1947 at Hoylake) and Graeme McDowell (2010), underscoring the region's growing dominance in professional golf.[1]Venue
Course Overview
The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, situated in Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England, hosted the 2014 Open Championship on its classic links layout. Measuring 7,312 yards with a par of 72, the course features firm, undulating fairways bounded by penal fescue rough and deep pot bunkers, emphasizing strategic play over raw power in keeping with traditional links golf.[6] For the championship, the hole routing was altered to begin on the club's 17th hole ("Royal") as the 1st and conclude on the club's 16th hole ("Dun") as the 18th, a configuration used since the 2006 Open to accommodate spectator facilities and enhance the dramatic finish.[7] The layout underwent a major renovation led by architect Donald Steel ahead of the 2006 Open, which lengthened the course by over 200 yards overall, restored historical green contours, and introduced new bunkering to modernize the challenge while preserving its seaside character. Notable holes include the par-3 13th ("Alps"), a visually deceptive one-shotter measuring 194 yards that plays longer into the wind and demands precise club selection to avoid the surrounding dunes and bunkers, and the 18th (club's 16th, "Dun"), a demanding 551-yard par-5 with bunkers guarding the left fairway and a narrow, elevated green protected by runoffs.[8][9][7] For the 2014 event, the R&A configured the course with fairways averaging 30-40 yards in width—generous by Open standards but narrowed by wind-swept runoffs—and rough grown to 2.5-3 inches to penal misses without excessive uniformity, promoting recovery shots from uneven lies typical of links turf. Green speeds were set to around 10 feet on the Stimpmeter, slower than many majors to encourage low running approaches and putting breaks influenced by the coastal breezes, ensuring the setup rewarded adaptability to variable conditions.[10][11]Historical Significance
Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, first hosted the Open Championship in 1897, marking the beginning of its storied legacy in the event's history.[12] By 2014, it was the 12th time the venue had been selected, having previously staged the tournament in 1902, 1907, 1913, 1924, 1930, 1936, 1947, 1956, 1967, and 2006.[12] This repeated hosting underscores the course's enduring prestige among the Open's traditional links venues, where it has produced iconic champions such as amateur legend Bobby Jones in 1930, who completed his Grand Slam that year; Australian Peter Thomson in 1956, securing his fifth Open title; and Tiger Woods in 2006, claiming his third Claret Jug with a masterful display of ball-striking in windy conditions.[13][14] The decision to return to Royal Liverpool for the 2014 Open was driven by the R&A's established rotation cycle among its select group of historic courses, ensuring a balanced schedule across the United Kingdom.[15] This came eight years after the 2006 edition, allowing time for necessary enhancements to accommodate modern professional play; post-2006 upgrades included extending the course length by 54 yards to 7,312 yards and reducing the number of bunkers to 82, refining the layout while preserving its strategic demands.[16] These improvements, combined with the venue's proven track record, reaffirmed its suitability for the championship's rigorous standards. As a quintessential seaside links, Royal Liverpool embodies the British Open's foundational traditions, where players must navigate unpredictable coastal winds, firm fairways, and undulating dunes that test creativity and resilience—challenges that have defined the event since its inception in 1860.[14] Its selection for 2014 not only highlighted this cultural heritage but also connected contemporary competitors to the ghosts of past greats, enhancing the tournament's aura of timeless prestige.[17]Qualification and Field
Exemption Criteria
The exemption criteria for the 2014 Open Championship, governed by the R&A, provided automatic entry to the field at Royal Liverpool Golf Club for a select group of elite players based on prior achievements, rankings, and specific tournament results, ensuring the participation of top global talent without requiring further qualification.[18] These categories emphasized recent major success, consistent performance in The Open, and high world rankings, with approximately 30 spots allocated through wins in majors and PGA Tour events over the previous five years, including exemptions for winners of The Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and The Open since 2009.[18] For instance, Y.E. Yang qualified via his 2009 PGA Championship victory.[18] Past Open Champions aged 60 or under on July 20, 2014, received lifetime exemptions if they chose to play, resulting in entries for players such as Tiger Woods (2000, 2005, 2006), Padraig Harrington (2007, 2008), and Stewart Cink (2009).[18] A special adjustment allowed past champions over 60 with a top-10 finish in The Open within the prior five years to remain exempt, enabling Tom Watson's participation based on his strong historical showings.[18] Additionally, the first 10 finishers (and ties) from the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield earned spots, securing entry for eight players including Henrik Stenson, the 2013 runner-up, and Adam Scott.[18] The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) played a key role, with the top 50 players as of May 26, 2014, automatically qualifying, alongside an additional 10 exemptions for the highest-ranked non-exempt players at that cutoff to fill the field with rising stars.[19][20] This included prominent names like Rory McIlroy (ranked No. 2) in the top 50 and Erik Compton among the top-10 non-exempt additions.[18][20] Other categories incorporated the top 30 from the 2013 Race to Dubai, the final 30 qualifiers for the 2013 TOUR Championship, and top performers from select 2014 events like the top five on the PGA Tour FedEx Cup standings after the Travelers Championship.[19][18] Unique to 2014, the criteria included targeted adjustments for emerging and veteran players, such as exemptions for the winner of the 2013 British Amateur Championship (Bradley Neil) to support low-handicap amateurs with handicaps not exceeding 0.4, and the 2013 Senior Open Champion (Mark Wiebe) to honor senior professionals.[18] These provisions, alongside orders of merit leaders from tours like the Asian Tour (Kiradech Aphibarnrat) and Sunshine Tour (Dawie van der Walt), contributed to a diverse field of 156 players.[18]Qualifying Pathways
The Open Qualifying Series (OQS), introduced in 2014 by the R&A, provided a new pathway for non-exempt players to qualify for the championship through performances in selected international tournaments across major tours. This series replaced the previous International Final Qualifying format and consisted of 14 events from international tours including the PGA Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and Sunshine Tour.[21][22] In each event, a varying number of top non-exempt finishers (typically 2-4) earned a spot at Royal Liverpool, yielding approximately 24 qualifiers from the OQS overall. Examples of participating tournaments included the Memorial Tournament and Quicken Loans National on the PGA Tour, as well as the Irish Open and Alstom Open de France on the European Tour.[21][22] Complementing the OQS, Final Qualifying offered additional opportunities for non-exempt players through four 36-hole stroke-play events held on July 1-2, 2014. These took place at Sunningdale Golf Club, Gailes Links, Woburn Golf Club, and Hillside Golf Club in the United Kingdom, with the top three finishers at each venue advancing to the main field, yielding 12 spots in total.[23][24] This UK-based final stage drew 288 entrants and emphasized links-style play to prepare qualifiers for the conditions at Royal Liverpool. Together, the OQS and Final Qualifying contributed approximately 36 players to the 156-player field, supplementing the automatic exemptions for leading professionals, past champions, and other categories.[23]Alternates and Withdrawals
Several notable withdrawals occurred in the lead-up to the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, necessitating the activation of alternates from the final qualifying events to maintain the standard field size of 156 players. These changes primarily involved past champions and established professionals citing injuries, travel issues, or scheduling decisions, with replacements drawn from the top-ranked alternates based on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and qualifying performances.[25][26] The first significant withdrawal was Charles Howell III on July 4, who opted out due to personal reasons after being added via his OWGR position; he was replaced by Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen, an alternate who had performed strongly in prior European Tour events.[27] On July 8, American Steve Stricker withdrew for the second consecutive year to prioritize family time and reduce his schedule, opening a spot filled by Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, the first alternate at the time.[25] Two days later, on July 10, 1998 Open champion Mark O'Meara pulled out because of an elbow injury exacerbated by recent play, concerned about the links conditions; England's Ross Fisher, another top alternate, took his place.[28] The final pre-tournament change came on July 15 when 1989 Open winner Mark Calcavecchia withdrew after travel delays from flight issues in the United States, allowing Canadian David Hearn—elevated from first reserve—to make his Open debut.[29] These adjustments ensured the field remained at full strength without disrupting the qualification process, as the alternates were selected from a pool including players like Olesen (OWGR 62), Ishikawa (63), Fisher (around 70), and Hearn (76) who had not initially qualified but were next in line from the July final qualifying stages at sites such as Sunningdale, Gailes Links, Woburn, and Hillside.[30] No further pre-start withdrawals were reported, and the tournament proceeded with a diverse international lineup reflecting the event's global appeal.[31]Tournament Conditions
Weather Impact
The 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club was characterized by mild temperatures ranging from 60 to 70°F (15 to 21°C) across all four rounds, creating comfortable playing conditions but with variable winds that tested players' adaptability on the links-style layout. Overall, precipitation was minimal, with firm fairways promoting run-outs and aggressive play early in the tournament, though Saturday's showers softened the course and altered strategies toward more conservative approaches to avoid water hazards and muddied lies. The open, coastal design of Royal Liverpool amplified wind effects, forcing adjustments in club selection and shot shaping, particularly on exposed holes like the par-4 10th and par-5 16th. The first and second rounds benefited from relatively calm to moderate winds, enabling low scoring. On Thursday, minimal breezes from the southeast allowed for birdie opportunities, with leaders like Rory McIlroy posting a 6-under 66 amid dry conditions that kept the course fast and firm. Friday started gusty with southeast winds of 15-25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph in the morning, challenging early starters but easing by midday to permit similar low rounds, including McIlroy's matching 66; this variability favored morning players and contributed to a projected cut line that held steady.[32] Saturday's third round marked a stark shift, with showers and a significant risk of strong thunderstorms prompting the R&A to implement a two-tee start for the first time in Open history, beginning play at 9 a.m. local time to beat the worst weather. Play was suspended for over three hours due to thunderstorms. Although sustained winds were lighter than Friday's (around 10-15 mph from the south), the rain—totaling over 0.5 inches in spots—softened fairways and rough, increasing effective yardage by up to 20 yards on longer holes and leading to higher scores across the field, with the average round exceeding 74. This inclement weather caused leader fluctuations, as McIlroy's four-shot lead extended to six after his 4-under 68, despite narrowing briefly early in the round, while contenders like Sergio García gained ground but struggled with wet conditions affecting approach shots and putting. The cut line settled at +2, eliminating notable players like Bubba Watson due to the tougher setup.[33] Sunday's final round returned to calmer, drier conditions with partly sunny skies and west winds of 5-15 mph, fostering a birdie fest that saw aggressive play and low scores, including birdies on reachable par-5s favored by the lighter breeze. McIlroy closed with a 1-under 71 to win by two, capitalizing on the benign weather to maintain control. Saturday's stormy play stood out historically as one of the more disruptive recent Opens, highlighting the event's reputation for weather-driven drama without reaching the gale-force extremes of prior editions like 2007 at Carnoustie.[34]Course Setup
The R&A configured Royal Liverpool Golf Club for the 2014 Open Championship to a total length of 7,312 yards playing to par 72, extending the layout by 54 yards from the 2006 edition through strategic tee adjustments.[16] To introduce variety, forward tees were utilized on select holes, while the overall setup reduced the number of bunkers to 82, all raked firm to ensure consistent playability.[16] The rough consisted of fescue grass grown to 2-4 inches in height, penalizing errant shots and emphasizing precision, particularly in windy conditions that amplified the need for driving accuracy.[35] Greens were prepared to roll at 10.5 feet on the Stimpmeter, offering a firm and true surface that rewarded skilled putting without excessive speed.[35] Bunkers were maintained firm to promote clean escapes, aligning with the tournament's focus on links-style recovery. Pin placements were rotated daily to alter strategic demands, culminating in Sunday's back-left position on the par-5 18th hole, which guarded against aggressive play while allowing birdie opportunities for precise approaches.[36] The par-5 holes were generally reachable in two for long hitters who prioritized fairway positioning, underscoring the course's balance between risk and reward amid prevailing winds.[1]Round-by-Round Summaries
First Round
The first round of the 2014 Open Championship commenced on July 17 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, where mild weather and minimal wind in the morning wave facilitated aggressive play and low scores on a course softened by prior rainfall. Rory McIlroy capitalized on these conditions, delivering a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 to secure the outright lead, marking his strongest opening round in a major that year. His performance featured strong ball-striking, with birdies on the par-5 10th and 16th, as well as precise short game work that built momentum through the back nine.[37] Matteo Manassero followed closely with a 5-under 67, showcasing composure from the young Italian in his bid for a strong showing. A group at 4-under 68 included Sergio Garcia, whose accurate irons set up multiple birdie opportunities; the Molinari brothers, Francesco and Edoardo, who benefited from their links experience; Jim Furyk, relying on his veteran consistency; and emerging talent Brooks Koepka. These efforts highlighted early trends of birdie-making on the reachable par-5s, particularly holes 5 and 16. Adam Scott also carded a 68 to join the group at 4 under.[37][2] As winds picked up in the afternoon, scoring toughened, contributing to a field average near even par and signaling a likely cut line around that mark after the second round. The morning's favorable setup contrasted with later challenges, underscoring the strategic importance of tee times in links golf.[37][1]First-Round Top 10 Leaderboard
| Position | Player | Score (to par) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rory McIlroy (NIR) | 66 (-6) |
| 2 | Matteo Manassero (ITA) | 67 (-5) |
| T3 | Sergio Garcia (ESP) | 68 (-4) |
| T3 | Francesco Molinari (ITA) | 68 (-4) |
| T3 | Edoardo Molinari (ITA) | 68 (-4) |
| T3 | Jim Furyk (USA) | 68 (-4) |
| T3 | Brooks Koepka (USA) | 68 (-4) |
| T3 | Adam Scott (AUS) | 68 (-4) |
| T9 | Rickie Fowler (USA) | 69 (-3) |
| T9 | Tiger Woods (USA) | 69 (-3) |
Second Round
The second round of the 2014 Open Championship commenced on July 18 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, with players navigating a course setup that featured firm greens and relatively calm morning conditions before a gentle breeze developed in the afternoon.[2] Rory McIlroy, who held the first-round lead at 6 under par, extended his advantage with a flawless second-round 66, reaching 12 under par overall and establishing a four-shot cushion over the field. Dustin Johnson capitalized on the benign morning weather with a 65—the lowest score of the round—to surge into second place at 8 under par, while Rickie Fowler posted a 69 to reach 6 under and Sergio Garcia added a 70 to join him there in third.[39] Zach Johnson, tied for the early lead after his opening 69, added a steady 70 to sit at 5 under par in a group sharing fifth place, maintaining contention midway through the tournament.[40] The cut line settled at 2 over par 146, allowing 72 players—top 70 and ties—to advance to the weekend rounds, a figure that included a mix of major champions and qualifiers amid the field's depth.[41] Tiger Woods, making his return to majors following back surgery, endured a challenging 77 featuring a triple-bogey on the 17th but salvaged par on that hole and birdied the 18th to finish at exactly 2 over par and scrape through to the weekend.[42] Among those who fell short were 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson and U.S. Open winner Martin Kaymer, both finishing at 3 over par, highlighting the pressure of the tightening leaderboard as scores climbed in the later groups.[43] Mid-tournament shifts were evident as morning starters like McIlroy and Johnson posted aggressive birdie runs on the par-5s, contrasting with afternoon players who faced subtle increases in wind speed—gusts up to 15 mph—that complicated approach shots and approach angles on the links layout.[44] This emerging breeze, though not severe, began to test players' adaptability, foreshadowing tougher scoring conditions ahead while underscoring the strategic importance of positioning off the tee at Royal Liverpool.Third Round
The third round of the 2014 Open Championship was played on July 19 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club under the threat of severe weather, prompting the R&A to implement a historic two-tee start from both the 1st and 10th tees for the first time in the tournament's history to ensure completion before potential thunderstorms.[45] An amber weather warning was in effect, with forecasts predicting heavy rain, lightning, and gusty conditions, though the links course's drainage helped maintain playability despite the challenging setup.[45] Entering the round with a four-shot lead at 12 under par, Rory McIlroy faced early pressure as he bogeyed the 1st and 3rd holes, allowing Rickie Fowler—who started at 6 under—to draw level with birdies of his own. McIlroy responded with resilience, carding a 4-under 68 that included birdies on the 7th, 10th, and 13th, followed by eagles on the par-5 16th (a five-iron to 11 feet) and the 18th (a precise approach shot), pulling away to a six-shot advantage at 16 under par.[46][47] Fowler matched McIlroy's low round score with his own 68, climbing to 10 under par and staying in contention, while Sergio García fired a 69 to reach 9 under after three rounds.[2] The leaderboard showed volatility, particularly on exposed holes like the 1st (a long par-4 into the wind) and the par-3 16th, where multiple players endured bogey runs amid the gusts and firm conditions, underscoring the defensive nature of play on a day when survival often trumped aggression.[46]Fourth Round
Entering the final round on July 20, 2014, Rory McIlroy held a six-shot lead at 16 under par over Rickie Fowler, with Sergio Garcia seven strokes back at nine under. McIlroy, playing alongside Fowler in the final pairing, carded a one-under-par 71 to finish at 17 under, securing a two-stroke victory despite a tense afternoon. His round included back-to-back bogeys early on the back nine that narrowed his advantage, but he steadied with a birdie on the 16th and a crucial par save on the 17th, where he chipped to within 12 inches after a wayward approach.[48][1] Fowler mounted a strong charge with a five-under 67, birdieing several holes on the back nine to close the gap to within two shots at one point, but his birdie attempts on the 17th and 18th fell short of forcing a playoff—parring the 17th after a solid approach and converting a birdie on the 18th to tie for second. Garcia delivered the low round of the day with a six-under 66, featuring an eagle on the 10th and consistent birdies thereafter, though a bunker mishap on the 15th prevented him from overtaking the lead; he also birdied the 18th to join Fowler at 15 under. McIlroy's composure under pressure, contrasting the challengers' aggressive pushes, ensured his hold on the Claret Jug.[49][50] In the aftermath, McIlroy celebrated his first Open Championship and third major title overall by hugging his tearful mother, Rosie, on the 18th green before the presentation ceremony, where he dedicated the victory to her in his acceptance speech, thanking the Hoylake crowd for their support.[48][1]Results and Records
Final Leaderboard
Rory McIlroy claimed victory in the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, finishing with a total of 271 (−17) to win by two strokes over co-runners-up Rickie Fowler and Sergio García, both at 273 (−15).[2] This marked McIlroy's first Open title and third major championship. Ties for positions were handled by sharing the ranking, with the next position skipped accordingly, such as the shared second place leading to the next finisher in sole fourth. The top 10 finishers are presented below, including round-by-round scores, total strokes, and relation to par (par was 71 for the setup course). A field of 156 players started the tournament, with 71 making the cut after 36 holes to play the final two rounds.[2]| Position | Player | Nationality | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | To Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rory McIlroy | NIR | 66 | 66 | 68 | 71 | 271 | −17 |
| T2 | Rickie Fowler | USA | 69 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 273 | −15 |
| T2 | Sergio García | ESP | 68 | 70 | 69 | 66 | 273 | −15 |
| 4 | Jim Furyk | USA | 68 | 71 | 71 | 65 | 275 | −13 |
| T5 | Marc Leishman | AUS | 69 | 72 | 70 | 65 | 276 | −12 |
| T5 | Adam Scott | AUS | 68 | 73 | 69 | 66 | 276 | −12 |
| T7 | Edoardo Molinari | ITA | 68 | 73 | 68 | 68 | 277 | −11 |
| T7 | Charl Schwartzel | RSA | 71 | 67 | 72 | 67 | 277 | −11 |
| T9 | Victor Dubuisson | FRA | 74 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 278 | −10 |
| T9 | Shane Lowry | IRL | 68 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 278 | −10 |
| T9 | Graeme McDowell | NIR | 74 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 278 | −10 |