Australian star Cameron Smith has been crowned Open champion, as the 28-year-old carded a scintillating eight-under-par 64 on Sunday to see off overnight leader Rory McIlroy. Heading into the final round it seemed as if McIlroy was destined to end his eight-year wait for a fifth major title, however Smith had other ideas.
The Aussie star put together a remarkable back nine - which included five straight birdies - to overcome the Northern Irishman’s four-shot advantage overnight. McIlroy headed into the opening round with all the expectation, but the Northern Irishman was aware more than anyone that there was still a huge job to do.
He had the one of golf’s hottest prospects in joint round three leader Viktor Hovland level alongside him, and the fearless Smith chomping at the bit four shots behind.
It was a steady start from McIlroy, as he parred the first four holes before finally picking up his first birdie of the day at the par five fifth. Ahead of the week, the world No. 2 revealed he wanted to play ‘boring’ golf to help him claim the Claret Jug, however this seemed a harsh description of his start on Sunday, with sensible more the right word as he hit all nine greens in regulation during his front nine.
Following his birdie at five, another four pars followed ahead of the turn, however this seemed more than enough for McIlroy, with neither of his leaderboard rivals able to really land a punch on the heavily supported favourite. As the world No. 2’s steady start kept him at the top his playing partner Hovland began to fall away after he played his opening 11 holes one-over before finally birdieing the 12th.
Whilst McIlroy moved away from his Ryder Cup teammate, one man he could not escape was Smith. The Australian knew he needed to go low on Sunday to have a chance of claiming the Claret Jug and this is exactly what he did. After playing his opening nine holes in two-under, the Players’ Championship winner ignited a fuse at the turn.
As a result, Smith would birdie a remarkable five holes on the bounce between 10 and 14 to move him to 19-under for the tournament and ahead of overnight leader McIlroy. The Northern Irishman would have been fully aware of what was happening ahead of him, as the roars rang out and the leaderboard continued to change.
As the pressure mounted the birdie putts waved by, and the roaring crowds that had supported the Northern Irishman all day began to get a little quieter. With McIlroy still one back it felt that time - and holes - was running out for the world No. 2, after his once comfortable final round was flipped upside down by Smith. Following his remarkable birdie run, the Aussie looked to consolidate his spot at the top with pars at both 15 and 16.
However, this was Open Sunday and St Andrews, where nothing is ever straightforward. A wayward approach at 17 left Smith hidden behind the green-side bunker and short-sided of the pin. Ever the magician with his short game, the Aussie star opted to putt his third shot onto the green and this proved a success, as he rolled in an equally impressive putt from around 10 feet to stay at 19-under.
As Smith headed to 18 and crushed his tee shot to the front of the green McIlroy a hole back knew he needed a birdie to keep his battle going. Once again though his birdie attempt did not drop leaving Smith on the cusp of Open glory. The Australian at 18 would go on to expertly two-putt to leave him at 20-under for the tournament, meaning the Northern Irishman needed an eagle two to force a play-off.
Aside from the McIlroy-Smith battle, the latter's playing partner Cameron Young went about his business quietly on day four, before rolling in a remarkable eagle putt at 18, to leave him at 19-under for the tournament - one behind the leader. As the final group headed up the 18th it proved too little too late for McIlroy, as he was unable to find the eagle two needed to force the play-off, giving the sensational Smith his first ever major win.
