The Open Championship Report

HEADLINE: 404Error Cruises to Open Glory While Jack-Mac21 Bottles Another Major

Well now, that was some week at the British Open. 404Error put on an absolute masterclass in how to win a major championship — none of this last-day drama nonsense, just pure domination from start to finish. Opening with that ridiculous -18 and never looking back, finishing four clear at -52. That's how you do it, lads. No messing about, no choking when the pressure's on. Just proper golf when it mattered most.

Rundownman deserves fair credit for that -48 runner-up finish. Consistent as clockwork all week — four rounds in double digits under par. That's the kind of grinding you need to compete at this level. Meanwhile Jack-Mac21 will be wondering what might've been after that spectacular -14 second round had him breathing down 404Error's neck. But ah here, -8 and -10 to close? That's not championship golf, that's settling for third place. You can't give a player of 404Error's caliber that kind of breathing room and expect to catch him.

The real story though was watching imtrippin completely bottle it after a strong start. -13 in the first round had him right in the mix, then went missing for two rounds before that final day -13 salvaged some pride. Too little, too late though — that's what happens when you disappear in the middle rounds of a major. skyline_time513 showed more steel, grinding out that tie for fourth with consistent scoring throughout.

You have to laugh at SpudGunDessyK though. Fires that brilliant -13 in round two to get himself noticed, then completely falls apart with -3 and -4 to finish. Classic case of someone getting ahead of themselves. The best players know how to back up a big round — the pretenders crumble under the expectation.

Padraig1501 had the shot of the tournament with that -14 third round, but where was that scoring the other three days? Inconsistent stuff that'll never win you majors. And fair play to Austin from Division 1 — that final round -13 to sneak into the top ten shows the kind of finishing kick that could see him making moves up the divisions soon enough.

The cut drama was minimal this time around, with -6 doing the damage. Still managed to claim a few scalps though, and DataPoint775 made the most of the shield event with that -7 to pick up some consolation points. Better than going home empty-handed, I suppose.

Looking at those standings now, 404Error has opened up a ten-point gap at the top of Premier Division. Rundownman won't be too bothered — he's playing the long game with that consistency. But Jack-Mac21 will be kicking himself. Another major opportunity gone begging, and now he's 100 points off the pace. That's what happens when you can't close the deal when it matters.

The Newcomers Division belongs to Flaggy1981 after that brilliant -23 effort. Some proper golf there from someone just finding their feet on tour. Meanwhile Stewpot continues to dominate Division 2 like he's playing a different sport entirely.

This Open Championship reminded us why majors separate the men from the boys. 404Error played like a champion all week long, while others wilted under the pressure. That's the difference between winning majors and wondering what might have been.

*— The Man in the Stands, Enniscorthy*