Rory McIlroy Open Championship Final Round

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 21 July 2014

Rory McIlroy headed into Sunday's final round of the Open with a six shot lead, finishing with a 71 for his third career major championship

Rory McIlroy (opens in new tab) tees off from the first hole during Sunday's final round alongside Rickie Fowler. Photography: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

McIlroy started off strong, making birdie on the first hole, which he bogeyed in his previous round. Photography: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during his final round of the Open. Photography: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

After bogeying the fifth and sixth holes, the gap between McIlroy and the group of players trying to catch him drastically shrank. Sergio Garcia eagled the 10th hole to pull within two shots of McIlroy, but that was as close as anyone would get. Photography: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Back-to-back birdies on the 9th and 10th holes got McIlroy back on track. Photography: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

McIlroy tapped in his two-putt on the 18th green to secure the championship, with a final score of 17-under par. Photography: Andrew Redlington/Getty Images

McIlroy proceeded to toss his ball into the gallery after sinking his final putt to win the Open. Photography: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

McIlroy celebrates his victory with his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald. Photography: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

McIlroy rushed to his mother Rosie after completing his Open victory. This was the first of his three major championship victories that she was able to attend. Photography: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

McIlroy receives the Claret Jug. Photography: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Despite some heckling from the Hoylake spectators after commenting that he was a Manchester United fan, McIlroy was very well supported by the fans throughout the weekend. Photography: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

McIlroy poses with the Claret Jug following the awards ceremony. Photography: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy Open Champion: McIlroy said that he is excited to celebrate with close friends and family, and to try to complete his career Grand Slam next spring at Augusta. Photography: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Mike Smith is an American undergraduate student studying journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is spending the summer living in London, studying British life and culture and working for Golf Monthly. He is excited to gain international working experience, as his career goal is to work in sports journalism.