MATT Southgate completed the fourth round of the Open Championship in just 65 strokes to finish the competition four under par.

Southgate went into the final day at Royal Birkdale one over par, but an impressive final 18 holes, which saw him finish five under par, allowed him to complete all 72 holes four under par.

By the time the Thorpe Hall Golf Club member had finished on the course, Southgate had moved up to fourth on the leaderboard.

Southgate, 28, was two over par in both of the opening two rounds to leave him on four over par.

But, having qualified for the final two days of the event after coming in the top 70, Southgate gradually climbed the leaderboard thanks to an impressive second half to the competition.

The Southend-born golfer had only booked his place in the Open weeks earlier, after winning a qualifier in Deal, Kent.

However, playing in front of a record Open crowd in the fourth round spurred Southgate on as he moved past the likes of Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy on the leaderboard.

And some impressive shots contributed to Southgate stunning those in attendance at the Merseyside course and helped him to better his 12th place finish at the Open, which was held in Troon, last year.