WILTSHIRE’S Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter both enjoyed excellent weeks at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Smith completed his best Open finish at the third attempt courtesy of tying for 41st while Canter – who also achieved his best result at golf’s oldest major – landed in a tie for 17th ahead of world number one, Scottie Scheffler and former champions Cameron Smith and Jordan Spieth.

Chippenham’s Smith produced a level of consistency that many others would have been envious of, shooting 71, 72, 71, and 72 to end the tournament – won by American Brian Harman – on two over par.

The Bowood Golf Club member’s play on Friday, which saw him make the cut by a couple of shots, featured a wonderful chip-in on seven and a sublime iron into the green on the par-three 11th.

Meanwhile, Cumberwell Park golfer, Canter was slightly more erratic with his daily scoring but ultimately completed a brilliant round of 68 on Sunday in horrible weather conditions to end four shots ahead of his county rival and friend.

Canter – who plays on the LIV Tour – opened on Thursday with a level-par round of 71 prior to going one better in bright and breezy conditions on Friday.

A disappointing Saturday featured a third-round score of 73, but as the rain continued to fall on the final day, the 33-year-old saw his Sunday total bettered by just three other players who managed to shoot 67.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire about his excellent week in Hoylake and in particular, his superb Sunday, Canter said: “I’m delighted to shoot that.

“I’m not a great Links course player, not a great wet-weather player, so to shoot in the 60s – I’m delighted.

“Playing in all conditions is part of the game, and you learn to embrace that. I think, this year, I probably did a better job of embracing it and running with it.”

The set-up at Royal Liverpool was widely complimented by the players and their caddies, aside from a few grumbles regarding the brutal pot bunkers and several complaints about the par-three 17th.

Standing at between 120 and 140 yards all week – distance was never an issue for the players – but with the green offering very little in the way of safe landing spots, a handful of entrants were less than impressed by a potential card-wrecker.

Canter, though, was in the minority by explaining he was a huge fan of the course in its entirety.

He said: “I really enjoyed the course, and I like the way it’s playing. It’s not super quick and bouncy.

“I probably prefer it when the course is a little bit softer, so I’ve enjoyed that.

“I think the 17th is good fun, I birdied it today – I’m probably the only person who thinks that hole is good fun – but I’m very happy.”