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  • Post Open Pointers: Collin Morikawa Triumphed At Royal St George’S But What Else Did We Learn?

Post-Open pointers: Collin Morikawa triumphed at Royal St George’s but what else did we learn?

Jordan Spieth rues a couple of ‘dumb mistakes’ which cost him a shot at title

All the best post-Open quotes from the likes of Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

In the wake of his two shot victory Collin Morikawa has deservedly been earning plaudits in the golfing world and beyond.

The 24-year-old lifted the Claret Jug following a clinical final round performance that was all the more astonishing for being just his second experience of links golf.
But beyond his excellence, what other lessons can we learn from four days of action at Royal St George's?

This has been a year which has seen Jordan Spieth revive his fortunes, in which Brooks Koepka has added more top 10s to his Major Championship CV, while Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Daniel Berger have begun to transfer fine form in regular events into excellence at the top level.

Let's take a look at what the contenders said after their rounds on Sunday, with particular reference to subjects that will be valuable to note going forward for the rest of the season - and also when the Majors roll around again next summer.

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Jordan Spieth on getting close to his best on the greens

"My putting is not where I want to be at all. It's progressing the right direction, but it's not where it has been. And I know what needs to do to get there, and it's just very difficult to do.
"But it's rounds like today, or this week - Major Championship rounds, where you are obviously tested. A lot of knobs and breaking putts and trust lines. It's a good test for it.
"I just wasn't extremely sharp with the putter this week. I was sharper than I was at Augusta. It's been a little bit kind of here and there this year. My bad weeks have been okay and my good weeks are really good, but I needed to put in a little bit of work so I can go out and confidently have a stroke good enough to win."

Spieth on the value of playing in the last group in the final round

"It's nicer when stuff is happening in front of you and you can control it. You can still birdie that hole, versus I get off the 16th today and it's like, 'Well, they could birdie behind, and there's nothing I can do about it now.'
"When you're the last to come in you've got the last chance on 18 and I think that's the easiest place to come from, especially when it's easier conditions.
"If we had wind and rain and all that, then obviously, as this tournament has showed at this venue, it's nice to post, but that wasn't going to be the case today."

Corey Conners on his excellent showing in recent Majors

"My game has been trending in a positive direction. It's nice to have decent results in the Majors. Probably say that I've left each one a little sour, left a few shots out there, definitely room for improvement. But, overall, it's been pretty solid and fun to be kind of in the mix in three of the four Majors this year."

Mackenzie Hughes on contending two Majors in a row

"I would be lying if I didn't say I felt a bit more nerves today than yesterday. When I played with Brooks I felt quite comfortable most of the day. Then, today, just starting out there were some nerves, but the golf course is just playing hard, too. I tried to draw on the experience from Torrey Pines and I knew that if I stayed patient I could have a nice comeback. Luckily I did.
"When you have high finishes and play with the best players in the world, hanging in there and staying with them, that does a lot for you. I made some pretty big progress in the majors this year.
"Going forward I know I have things to work on and get better at, but that's the exciting part. There is tons of room for improvement still. But I'm getting better. I'm learning. Still growing."

Shane Lowry on a solid defence of the Claret Jug

"I was a bit edgy the first day, but you kind of get that the week of big tournaments anyway. I really enjoyed the whole week. It was an amazing experience. Walking down the last hole today was one of the coolest things you'll ever get to do and I got to do it.
"Another good performance. I feel like I've played four majors well, three out of four of them I've had really good performances, played some of my best golf. If that's not a step in the right direction, I don't know what is."

Daniel Berger on back-to-back Major top 10s

"I'm pretty happy with my year in the big events. I'm figuring it out. Haven't been that great early on in my career at playing great in Major, but I found a little something that I think works for me in these big events and looking to continue that success into the FedExCup Playoffs.
"The key in these big tournaments on tough golf courses is trying to stay away from the big number, which I've done well in the last couple majors. If I hole a few more putts early in the week, then I think I would be closer to the lead having a chance to win. Going in the right direction in these big events."

Brooks Koepka on his continuing liking for the big weeks

"I like these weeks. I like when it's tough. I like when everything is on the line. I like when the most pressure is on. I enjoy that. I think it's fun. Something just clicks, focus, just understanding where to hit golf shots.
"But was more of a back-door top 10, wasn't the best. Definitely a missed opportunity. Didn't play good enough Saturday. I didn't have a chance to win. That's disappointing."

Bryson DeChambeau on finally breaking 70 at the Open

"Finishing 5-under is a good feat given it's the Sunday of an Open and I'll learn a lot from this going into next year. It's one of those things that for me it's going to take time probably to learn the whole ins and outs of Open golf. I don't think I'll ever figure it out, but hopefully one year I can get some of the right breaks and give myself a great chance to win an Open Championship.

READ MORE: Collin Morikawa: Halfway to the Grand Slam but can he beat Tiger?

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