NOW THAT’S A MATT FINISH
Links specialist and cancer survivor is top Englishman
THE WAIT for the next English winner of The Open is now 25 years old. It is not an anniversary of which anyone can be terribly proud but yesterday at least a relatively unheralded name came to the fore as Matthew Southgate shot a final-round 65 to finish in a tie for sixth.
Southgate is 28 and he has some pedigree on links courses. Last year he was tied for 12th at The Open in Troon and his last two Irish Open finishes were fourth last year and second a fortnight ago behind Jon Rahm at Portstewart.
To many golf fans Southgate, from Southend, is still best known for a successful battle with testicular cancer in 2015. But he refuses to let that story define him and by finishing so well here at the end of a week that saw our domestic challengers fade away he believes he has readied himself for a move up to the next level.
Inevitably that includes an assault on next year’s Open at Carnoustie where he is actually a member.
He said: ‘To finish as top Englishman is an amazing achievement. I think I can get there next time. I am not insecure about the way I play golf.
‘I’m a very good links player and The Open is always something I have had my heart on. Golf is a horses for courses game and when it comes to links golf I can really mix it with the best in the world.
‘I have proved that in the last two years and in Ireland. I’m not scared of winning an Open Championship. I’d embrace it if I got the chance. I’m a member of Carnoustie so I’m really looking forward to next year. It’s the best course in the world.’
Southgate was diagnosed with cancer two years ago this month.
He said: ‘I was amazingly lucky with the health stuff. I was healthy again as quick as anybody else who has had testicular cancer. It gave me enough time to think about my career and what I wanted out of the game. But I didn’t lose any form.
‘Getting told I had cancer didn’t make me any more hungry to be more successful in this game. It doesn’t cross my mind or stick there or cause any emotional stuff for me. That passion to be good at golf is inbuilt, it’s genetic.
‘I fell in love with everybody playing golf when I was a kid. I loved watching all the Opens.’
With so much fallibility being shown by the two Americans who began the day in the final group, this was in effect a day of opportunity for the clutch of domestic players further down the leaderboard.
Only Southgate really produced a performance of note, though.
Rory McIlroy finally fired on the back nine, eagling the 17th to briefly raise the prospect of joining clubhouse leader Haotong Li on six under. But McIlroy couldn’t manage it, finding the bunker with his second from deep rough on 18, and ultimately paid the price for a flat front nine that saw him record eight straight pars before an overdue birdie on the ninth.
His playing partner Ross Fisher had shot 66 on Saturday but dropped three shots in the first two holes yesterday to essentially end his challenge before it had really begun. In the group ahead, meanwhile, Ian Poulter appeared touched by the reception he received on the first tee but could only end his championship with a round of level-par 70.
At times during the early afternoon the golf course was noticeably quiet, which is always a sign that nobody is managing to put together the kind of run that will threaten those up ahead.
Lee Westwood birdied three of the closing four holes to record a 67, his best round of the week. The 44–year-old had another good ball striking week but rarely looked comfortable on the greens. Elsewhere, Paul Casey wrapped up another good tournament with a closing 67 while Chris Wood — winner of the silver medal here in 2008 — also grew into the championship and he too was three below par yesterday to finish in red numbers.
Hometown boy Tommy Fleetwood ended his championship at one over but never really recovered fully from an opening 76 in poor weather on Thursday.