2 years ago
36
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Australian Cameron Smith stunned St Andrews by snatching the 150th Open Championship by one stroke from Cameron Young, as Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy missed out again.
It is a first major for Smith, who carded a bogey-free eight-under 64 - which featured five successive birdies from the 10th hole - to win on 20 under.
McIlroy, who led overnight by four shots alongside Viktor Hovland, closed with a two-under 70 to finish third.
Norway's Hovland shot a two-over 74 and rarely threatened to claim the Claret Jug.
Make no mistake though, McIlroy did not lose this. Smith won it.
The world number six - and 2020 US Masters runner-up - started the final round four adrift of the favourite and picked up two birdies in his first nine holes to gain a stroke on the McIlroy, who picked up just one shot, on the fifth.
And then Smith went on a birdie run that wiped out the overnight advantage and effectively won him the Claret Jug.
While Smith was rattling in a salvo of birdies, McIlroy was playing par golf.
More to follow.
English (US)