Emotional Woods dedicates Open triumph to father Earl

Weeks of sun had left the Hoylake links browned and baked hard and that played into the American’s hands as he adopted a no-driver policy – hitting it just once in the first round – with the ground running fast and firm.

Woods used his two-iron to devastating effect over the four rounds, laying up short of bunkers designed to catch the longer tee shots.

A second-round 65 gave him a lead he would not relinquish as his highly anticipated final-day battle with Sergio Garcia never materialised, the Spaniard crumbling in the spotlight to shoot 73 to Woods’ 67 as the world number one secured back-to-back Claret Jugs and his third in total.

It was, however, the first since the death of his father and mentor two months earlier and Woods broke down in tears on the 18th green after holing the putt which gave him a two-shot victory over compatriot Chris DiMarco.

Also on this day in sport

1995: Harold Larwood died in Australia, aged 90. Larwood will forever be associated with the ‘Bodyline’ series in Australia in 1932-33 when the Nottinghamshire pace bowler bowled short-pitched balls directed at the body and claimed 33 wickets at just 19 apiece as England won the series 4-1. The series generated such outrage that when he returned home Larwood was ordered to apologise, but refused and never played for his country again. Larwood emigrated to Australia in 1950. He was awarded the OBE in 1994.

2012: Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France, becoming the first British man to do so in the 99th edition of the event.

2016: Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce was appointed as England’s new boss on a two-year contract. He left his position after just one game and 67 days in charge after being caught in a national newspaper sting.

2018: Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win a golf major after lifting the Open title at Carnoustie.