Rory McIlroy’s quest to win a fifth major ended in heartbreak as Australian Cameron Smith produced a stunning final run to win the Open Championship at St Andrews.
McIlroy, joint leader with Erik Hovland at start of play, was targeting his first major in almost eight years, his last coming at the 2014 US PGA at Valhalla.
But Smith produced a sizzling Sunday of eight birdies - six of them after the turn - to card a breathtaking 64 around the Old Course.
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The Aussie’s 20-under score was the lowest total by a champion at St Andrews, eclipsing the great Tiger Woods who won the tournament at 19-under in 2000.
It was a case of so near, yet so far for McIlroy who had been two shots clear of Smith, Hovland and Cameron Young at the turn.
In the end the 33-year-old, whose final round 70 was awash with pars but only two birdies, finished third, a shot behind Young and two off the champion who shed tears after receiving the Claret Jug.
Asked what his feelings were walking off the 18th green, McIlroy told CBS: "Just disappointment. I had a great opportunity today to add to that major tally and I didn't quite get it done.
"I didn't feel I did many things wrong but the putter went cold on me pretty much throughout the round.
"I played a really controlled round of golf (but) I didn't take advantage of some of the holes I had been taking advantage of this week. When Cam Smith went on that run in the back nine, I really had to try to dig deep to make some birdies and I just couldn't.
"I got beaten by the better player this week. To go out and shoot 64 to win an Open Championship at St Andrews is a helluva showing and hats off to Cam. He's had an unbelievable week."
McIlroy was in pole position at the turn, but Smith drew level at the 13th And the Aussie, who carded consecutive birdies at the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th, was soon a shot clear with time running out.
Smith threatened to falter when he fell short of the green with his second shot at the notorious 17th but he steadied himself to sink a 10ft putt for a gutsy ‘up and down’ par to stay a shot clear.
McIlroy’s hopes were fading when he narrowly missed a birdie putt at the 17th and Smith also birdied the last to card a round of 64 and end his tournament on 20-under.
The end was in sight and Rory, requiring an eagle two at the last to force a play-off, could only par the last to fall short by a couple of shots.
McIlroy’s long wait for his fifth major, 2899 days to be precise, goes on while it is also now eight years since he won his first and so far only Open at Royal Liverpool at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
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