Rory McIlroy has made it three Majors in the space of four years after capturing the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

After starting the final round leading by six shots and then increasing that to seven with a birdie at the first, McIlroy added golf’s oldest Major to his 2011 US Open success and 2012 PGA Championship triumph lifting the Claret Jug by two strokes with a 17-under par tally.

American Rickie Fowler and Spain’s Sergio Garcia were tied in second place on 15-under par.

It is the second occasion Garcia has finished runner-up to an Irish-born player after Padraig Harrington captured the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

Rory McIlroy with golf’s famed Claret Jug. (Photo -Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)