The 147th Open

Clutch eagle putts, hole-outs from the fairway and monster drives - The 147th Open at Carnoustie certainly served up a feast for the eyes when it came to incredible shots.

Francesco Molinari was ultimately crowned Champion Golfer as he claimed a maiden major success with a two-shot victory after completing a bogey-free final round.

One of the highlights of his triumph was a stunning approach to the 18th to set up a close-range birdie, but the Claret Jug holder was not alone in wowing the crowds.

Former Champion Golfer Rory McIlroy got pulses racing with his huge eagle putt on Sunday, while Kevin Kisner’s holed bunker shot ensured he finished in a four-way tie for second.

Brooks Koepka also drove the green on the 396-yard first hole in his opening round. But while those shots were all special in their own way, here are the four best from the week.

One wedge wonder

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat was not enjoying the best of days during his opening round at Carnoustie before he delivered a moment to savour on the 17th hole.

Four bogeys in five holes left him struggling on four over for his round and he was in danger of dropping another shot at the tricky penultimate hole after a wayward drive.

Aphibarnrat was unable to get anywhere near the green with his second shot, but he bounced back in the best way possible by holing out with a wedge for an unlikely birdie.

It was the first birdie of the day at the 17th and Aphibarnrat went on to par the last to finish with a three-over 74, before a second-round 71 saw him make the cut at The Open for the first time.

Magical Spieth recovery

Jordan Spieth did not get his defence of the Claret Jug off to the best of starts as the American opened with a 72, after carding a double bogey and two bogeys in his final four holes.

The three-time major winner responded like a champion in round two, though, with birdies on the 3rd and 5th as a miraculous chip-in on the former kick-started his comeback.

Spieth found himself left of the green after two shots, with one of Carnoustie’s daunting large swales between him and the hole, but he judged his nifty chip to perfection to get a shot back.

He went on to post a 67 in the second round before moving into an overnight share of the lead going into the final round – eventually falling away to finish in a tie for ninth.

Zander finishes in style

Playing in only his second Open, Zander Lombard provoked one of the loudest reactions of the weekend when he eagled the 18th on Saturday.

The South African was coming off the back of a bogey on the 16th and a double on 17, but he holed out with his second shot from 135 yards to move back to even for his round.

His effort took two big bounces on the green before checking and taking the break to roll into the cup, causing the grandstands to rise to their feet to acclaim the 23-year-old.

While a final round 82 dropped Lombard down the leaderboard, into a tie for 67th, his dramatic finale the day before was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the week.

Rose rattles the pin

Justin Rose almost missed the cut at The 147th Open after a hit-and-miss opening two rounds, before sneaking through to the weekend with a brilliant birdie on the 18th on Friday.

The Olympic champion then stormed through the field on Saturday to put himself in contention for his first Claret Jug with a course record-equalling 64 in his third round.

And he kept himself in the hunt on Sunday with a stunning eagle on the 14th, after his second shot struck the flag as he came agonisingly close to picking up an albatross.

Rose went on to post a total of six under to finish in a four-way tie for second, which was his best performance at The Open – two decades on from his fourth-place finish as an amateur.