Cameron Smith has become the first Australian golfer in 29 years to win the Open Championship, after a stunning final 64 round at St Andrews.
A total of 20 below Smith left him once ahead of American Cameron Young, with third-round co-star Rory McIlroy another shot back.
McIlroy was only able to manage a 70 of the final round, while the other leader of the third round, Viktor Hovland, was never a factor and fired 74 when Smith rose to the lead.
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Smith made five consecutive birdies between holes 10 and 14, and also the last one, his 64, the lowest final round for a winner in the Open Championship, which this year celebrates its 150th edition.
Smith lost his words after the victory.
“It’s unrealistic to look at the names of this trophy and then add mine,” he said.
“I’ll definitely figure out how many beers fit into this thing, that’s for sure.”
Smith is the fifth Australian to win the historic championship, after Peter Thomson (five times), Greg Norman (twice), Kel Nagle and Ian Baker-Finch.
Smith joins Thomson and Nagle as Australians for winning at St Andrews.
“Winning an Open Championship in itself will probably be the highlight of a golfer in his career,” Smith said. “Doing it for St. Andrews I think is amazing.”
Cameron Smith has won the 150th British Open tournament. (AP)
McIlroy hit the 18 greens in regulation and made them two puts, twice for birdie, in a round of 70.
“The best player has defeated me this week. Going out and throwing 64 to win the Open Championship in St. Andrews is a hell of a show. He’s taking his hat off to Cam,” McIlroy said.
“The putter got me cold. When the two Camerons, especially Smith, made that run in the back nine, I had to dig deep to make birds. And I just couldn’t.”
The win is Smith’s third of the year, having also won the prestigious Players Championship in March. Ranked sixth in the world earlier this week, Smith is expected to move into second place when the new rankings are released.
His series of five consecutive birdies will go down in the history of the championship, as it took place in the back nine of the last day of an open championship. The fifth bird gave him the lead for the first time.
The famous hole 17 threatened to undo it, but rolled calmly in a 10 foot to save the pair.
When he saw the last bird, his place in history was assured.
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