The 2005 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 134th Open Championship, held from 14 to 17 July at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. Tiger Woods led wire-to-wire for his tenth major title, five shots ahead of runner-up Colin Montgomerie.[3] The win was Woods' second Open Championship, both at St. Andrews, and completed his second career grand slam at age 29.[4] The tenth major and second slam were firsts for a player under the age of 30.[5] At age 65, Jack Nicklaus made his final appearance at a major championship.[6]
History of The Open Championship at The Old Course at St Andrews
6. First 3 and anyone tying for 3rd place, not exempt, in the top 20 of the European Tour Order of Merit for 2005 on completion of the 2005 BMW PGA Championship Stephen Dodd, Peter Hanson, Steve Webster
7. First 2 European Tour members and any European Tour members tying for 2nd place, not exempt, in a cumulative money list taken from all official European Tour events from the British Masters up to and including the Open de France and including The U.S. Open Søren Hansen, Jean van de Velde
15. First 2 PGA Tour members and any PGA Tour members tying for 2nd place, not exempt, in a cumulative money list taken from the Players Championship and the five PGA Tour events leading up to and including the 2005 Western Open Bart Bryant
25. First 2 and anyone tying for 2nd place, not exempt having applied (24) above, in a cumulative money list taken from all official Japan Golf Tour events from the 2005 Japan PGA Championship up to and including the 2005 Mizuno Open Hiroyuki Fujita, Hur Suk-ho
Tiger Woods stormed out to a 66 (−6) for a one shot lead over Mark Hensby, who missed a birdie putt on the 18th green. Defending champion Todd Hamilton shot 74 (+2) and Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, carded 75 (+3).
Nicklaus made a 15-foot (5 m) birdie putt on the final stroke of his professional career. On his walk up to the final green, he received a near ten-minute standing ovation, pausing for photographs on the iconic Swilcan Bridge. Nicklaus shot an even-par 72 in his final competitive round, but his 147 (+3) missed the cut by two strokes.[6]
Woods moved to 10-0 when leading going into the final round of a major, winning his second Open Championship title. He pulled away from Colin Montgomerie who finished second in a major for the fifth time. Woods shot a 2-under 70, the only round under par among the final 14 players. Fred Couples and Duffy Waldorf shot 68, the low rounds of the day.[3][5]