• Open Championship, Round Four

The Open: What They Said

Tiger Woods was hugely frustrated with his week at St Andrews © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Out of Bounds: Only a matter of time before Westwood breaks his duck
  
• News: Westwood and McIlroy blame themselves
  
• News: Oosthuizen makes history at the home of golf
  
• Profile: Paul Casey | Luke Donald | Lee Westwood | Tiger Woods

Open Championship gallery: Round Four

The Open Championship reached its climax on Sunday, with Louis Oosthuizen holding off the challenge of England's Paul Casey to claim his first Major title. It has been an exhilarating week at the home of golf, from the extreme weather to conditions to Tom Watson's emotional farewell.

Here is the reaction from the final round on the Old Course:

Where to start but with the newly crowned Open champion, Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen, Louis to his friends. The man who showed incredible calm to hold off all challenges to claim the prestigious Claret Jug admitted he did feel a little nerves after all. "After the 12th it became very difficult on the back nine having such a big lead to keep calm and keep focused, I am glad I had eight shots on 17," he said. "It's probably going to hit me tomorrow or the week after, but I felt like I played really well the whole week and that was the biggest goal for me, to keep calm. I would have liked to keep the record of not going in a bunker but I found myself in one on 14, but it's all good."

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy was left to wonder what might have been after his second-round 80 was the only blemish on an otherwise impressive eight-under showing. "I couldn't stop thinking about Friday going up the last hole, that was definitely one I let get away from me. Apart from that round I played really well this week; I didn't do a lot wrong. I just didn't deal with the conditions very well on Friday and that was the most disappointing thing about the week. I came out on Saturday and Sunday and my wind play was a lot better , I hit a lot better shots, I'm happy with the way I finished this weekend, but it's probably one I let get away."

For world No. 3 Lee Westwood it was second prize again. But he's certain his first Major title is not far off. "I know what I have got to do to win one; I've got to improve," he said. "I've showed a lot of consistency but it's not quite good enough. I'm not sure what it is quite, sometimes I've played well and somebody's played a little bit better, but it's one of those things. But I keep putting myself in position and in contention and that's all I can do."

Tiger Woods was disappointed with his week's showing at St Andrews. When asked what his memories would be, he said: "Well I didn't win. It was one of those week's when I just couldn't put anything together. I felt that if I played well I could easily get inside the top 10 and I started off well today but unfortunately couldn't keep the momentum I built going. I'm driving it better than I have in a long time and It's just a matter of putting it together. This week I had one of the worst putting weeks I've ever had, I had nine or 10 three-putts this week and you just can't do that."

Luke Donald matched his third round score of 69. But it was the way he finished (birdie, eagle) that really made his day. "I think I could sell that finish for quite a few pounds to anyone in the last few groups. I've played 17 quite a few times and there hasn't been many times that I've even hit it on top of the green, it's such a tricky hole and I just got it right this time and then 18 obviously is playing friendly and I managed to drive it to about 15 feet and hole the putt for an unbelievable finish."

Asked how he thought his compatriot Paul Casey would do, Donald said: "The back nine is tough there's a little more wind than was forecast. It's tough to get close to some of those pin positions. I am wishing Paul secretly good luck with my brother [Christian] on the bag but Louis [Oosthuizen] is playing solid as well. This is a tough week for caddies - the bag gets loaded up with waterproofs and umbrellas and they are up at 4.45am checking the pins."

Jin Jeong was delighted to walk away with the silver medal after finishing as the top amateur. "It was a great finish. An eagle on the last hole of the British Open - I don't think I will ever forget this. It means quite a lot [to finish as the top amateur]. I've got a lot of confidence from this tournament; I really enjoyed it this week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.