Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy claimed his third major and his first Open Championship two years ago today. Then 25, he led from start to finish at Royal Liverpool – although he was made to sweat on the final day as a six-shot lead over Rickie Fowler after the third round was sliced to just two by the end, but McIlroy held on for victory ahead of the American and Sergio Garcia.
McIlroy became the first European to win three different majors and joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers since the first Masters Tournament in 1934 to win three majors before 25. He went on to claim a second major later that year by winning the PGA Championship.
Memorable events on this day:
1976: Baseball great Hank Aaron hits his 755th and last home run for the Milwaukee Brewers against the California Angels.
2003: World No376 Ben Curtis, of the US, is the surprise winner of The Open at Royal St George’s, winning on his debut at a major.
2009: England win the second Ashes Test, beating Australia by 115 runs at Lord’s to take a 1-0 series lead. They would go on to win it 2-1.
