Cameron Smith: Following a Comeback won the British open by Stroke
Scotland’s ST. ANDREWS The British Open victory over Rory McIlroy by Australian Cameron Smith propelled him to his maiden major championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Sunday. The scenario was perfect for McIlroy to win the 150th Open and finish a week of festivities at the home of golf by snapping an eight-year major winless streak.
Following a comeback, Cameron Smith won the British Open by one stroke
Smith seized the spotlight by starting the back nine with five straight birdies and adding more crucial strokes at the finish. His final round of 8-under 64 was the best by a champion in the 30 times the oldest champion in golf has competed at St. Andrews.
Cameron Young won a match over Smith by only one stroke:
Cameron Young made a 15-foot eagle putt on the last hole to win the match by one stroke over Smith. It and everything McIlroy could manage was insufficient.
Early on, he failed to make a putt. Lately, he was unable to hit it near enough. His final strong chance was a birdie try from 15 feet at the terrifying Road Hole at No. 17, which just missed to the left.
Smith’s tee shot landed at the front of the 18th green, where he had made a 10-foot putt to save par on the 17th. His movement up the slope and toward the cup from a distance of 80 feet was almost flawless, allowing him to finish at 20-under 268 with a tap-in birdie.
Smith matched Dustin’s records of par:
Dustin Johnson last achieved the major championship record of par in the November 2020 Masters, which Smith matched.
He finished third:
McIlroy’s putt through the Valley of Sin had no chance of making it in; he needed an eagle to tie him up. He finished third with a 70 after missing the birdie.
How Smith is the first Australian player?
Since Kel Nagle’s victory at St. Andrews in 1960, when he defeated emerging American star Arnold Palmer in the public vote, Smith is the first Australian to take home the trophy. That’s what McIlroy is right now, and all day long, excitement could be felt along the Old Course’s crests and valleys as people eagerly anticipated the celebration of McIlroy’s victory as the Open champion at St. Andrews. He only managed two birdies, 16 pars, and further disappointment.
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