Australian Cameron Smith has produced an incredible nine birdie blitz to win the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews and claim his first big win.
Key points:
- Cameron Smith makes six birdies in the back nine to come up behind and win the Open
- Smith becomes the fifth Australian to win the Open
- With 20 less for the tournament, Smith finished with a shot ahead of Cameron Young and two from Rory McIlroy.
Starting his final round four strokes behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, Smith fired a final round of 8 under 64 to climb to the top of the standings and lift the Claret Jug.
Smith is the fifth Australian to win the Open, joining Peter Thompson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch.
“What a week. I’m going to fall here, I know,” a weeping Smith said after lifting the trophy.
“All the hard work we’ve done over the last two years has started to bear fruit, and this one is definitely worth it.
“I had a lot of support out there, especially the Australian guys. You made me go out there. This is for Birds.”
Cameron Smith produced one last round for all ages in St Andrews. (Getty Images: Andrew Redington)
The victory represents a major breakthrough in the career of the humble and modest Queenslander, who seemed overwhelmed by the weight of his success.
“Looking at those names in this trophy and then adding mine is unreal. I miss the words,” he said.
“I’ll definitely figure out how many beers fit into this thing, that’s for sure.”
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A steady start from McIlroy saw him maintain a two-shot lead over the field on the turn of the final round, but Smith’s attack quickly turned the script upside down.
Smith made five consecutive birdies from holes 10 through 14 to suddenly sit alone at the top of the standings, his control over the Jug tightened with each putt of McIlroy that passed.
Most of the crowd was cheering on Rory McIlroy, but a smaller Australian contingent traveled to Cam Smith’s home. (Getty Images: Charlie Crowhurst)
His last test came on the 17th, the famous Road Hole at the Old Course.
After leaving his second shot at pair four in a precarious position in front of the green with a treacherous bunker between him and the pin, Smith played an expertly weighted putt in the center of the green before sinking the most important putt pair. of his career.
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“I was just trying to put him on the green and take a look at me,” Smith said of his 17-year-old peer.
“The putter felt good all day, so I knew that if I could get it at 15-20 feet, I had a chance, so I was lucky to get away with a four.”
After receiving applause from the St Andrews crowd on the 18th walk, Smith closed with one last birdie to finish 20 less for the tournament, a shot ahead of American Cameron Young in second place and two of a disappointed McIlroy.
The final round of Rory McIlroy was not what I expected. (Getty Images: David Davies)
McIlroy played almost flawless but unspectacular golf, routinely hitting fairways and greens, but failed to get the big putts that mattered.
It’s another case for McIlroy, who certainly didn’t throw this one, but was simply defeated by a historic round of golf.
“I felt like I didn’t do very badly today, but I didn’t do very well either. I played a very controlled round, I did everything I needed except to take advantage of the easier holes,” McIlroy said.
“The best player has defeated me this week.”