Tiger Woods has won the British Open at St Andrews by five shots with a total of 14-under-par to claim his 10th major title.

The world number one closed with a two-under-par final round of 70 as he fended off a challenge from Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal who were within one stroke midway through the final round.

Woods pockets just under $A1.7 million for the win, which takes him to third in the all-time list of major winners behind Jack Nicklaus with 18 and Walter Hagen's 11.

Woods won this year's US Masters, was second in the US Open and led at St Andrews from the opening round.

Montgomerie has finished second for the third time in a major on nine-under with Olazabal and Fred Couples tied for third one shot further back.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy stormed home with three birdies in the last four holes to finish in a share of fifth place on seven-under-par after a final round of 69.

Mark Hensby and Nick O'Hern are the next best Australians in a tie for 15th on five-under while Nick Flanagan has finished three-under in 23rd.

Stuart Appleby has fallen away with a final round of 75 to finish one-under, while Greg Norman dropped four shots for a one-over par total.

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