McIlroy rues missed chances at The Open

The 28-year-old Northern Irishman was tortured by the moans and cheers resonating from the groups behind him during the final round on the Southport links, as the leaders faltered but he was not close enough to do anything about it.

McIlroy, who claimed the Claret Jug back in 2014 for his only Open triumph to date, started the day two-under par and nine shots off the pace – it was always going to take a miracle for him to close that gap.

But with eventual winner Jordan Spieth initially making a hash of getting over the line, before a back-nine blitz sealed a maiden Open triumph of his own, McIlroy's own errors over the previous days left him well outside striking distance.

The world number four started the tournament in disastrous fashion, making five bogeys in the opening six holes to leave himself playing catchup from there on.

A lost ball and a bogey on the par-five 15th, where he was looking for eagle to stand any chance of success, ultimately ended McIlroy's charge despite an eagle two holes later – and the golfing superstar knew he should have gone down with more of a fight.

"As soon as I started off and saw Li Haotong had finished at six-under par, I wanted to get at least level with him if not beat him,” he said. "I didn't quite get there.

"It's a lost opportunity. I felt like I had a chance to get in a few shots better than I did yesterday and I didn't.

"That would have put me a bit closer to the lead going out today and maybe I would have been able to put a bit of pressure on the guys in front of me.

"I was within four (of the lead) at one point, playing 13 or 14 and I thought with the two par fives coming up I had the chance to post a number and at least scare them a little bit.

"But that's how it goes. It's tough out there, it really is. It is tough coming in.” McIlroy still did finish as top Brit at the Open in a tie for fourth place on five-under par, alongside Spain's Rafa Cabrera-Bello.

He just pipped qualifier Matthew Southgate to that honour, after the 28-year-old from Southend-on-Sea shot 67-65 over the final two days to shoot up the field.

Two years ago at St Andrews, Southgate was watching the action from the hospital despite qualifying for the tournament – he had devastatingly just been diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery the very same week.

But after reclaiming his European Tour card at the end of last season, qualifying for the Open at the start of the month at Royal Cinque Ports, and then claiming the biggest cheque of his career at the Irish Open five days later – you get the sense Southgate's story is just beginning.

He said: "I'm new to playing in major championships, but I think that's a good sign when you're playing that well on a Sunday, and you don't know what your score is because of your focus.

"I know the work I'm putting in and ultimately you put the work in and get the rewards out. It doesn't bother me to not get in the limelight.”

Sportsbeat 2017