Is this Tiger Woods’ final trip to St Andrews?
Rory McIlroy’s wait for a fifth major continues after he was beaten on the Claret Jug by sensational Australian Cameron Smith.
Smith made the birdies to finish with a round of 64, beating his partner Cameron Young by one shot, while McIlroy finished third with a final-round 70.
Follow below for live updates and reactions from The Open at St Andrews:
Cam Smith speaks
“All the hard work we’ve put in over the last couple of years is starting to pay off,” says an emotional Smith, who spent two years away from family in Australia because of the pandemic. “It’s definitely worth it.”
He thanks the R&A: “This is how an open, firm and fast, plays with hard pins. It was wonderful there. “
And he thanked the fans at St Andrews, “especially the Aussies, you keep me going.”
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 19:10
Rory McIlroy speaks
“I had a great opportunity to add to my major and I didn’t do it.
“I don’t feel like I did a lot of things wrong, but the putter was going really cold on me throughout the round. I did what I wanted to do and I played a very controlled round of golf.
“When Cam Smith went for that drive on the back nine, I had to dig deep to make some birdies and I just couldn’t. I was beaten by the best player this week. It was a hell of a shot to go out and shoot a 64 at St. Andrew’s to win an Open Championship. Hats off to Cam, he had an incredible week. .
“I know I can do it. I love this course, I’m playing well here. I’ve finished third in the last two Opens here. It’s coming. I’m knocking on the door, I just have to be patient and eventually one will open for me.
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 19:05
Cameron Smith won the Open title
Here’s how the leaderboard finished, with Smith taking out Young as one:
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:57
Cameron Smith won the Open title
McIlroy salutes the crowd after falling:
Rory McIlroy salutes the crowd at St Andrews
(Reuters)
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:54
Cameron Smith won the Open title
A birdie at the end wasn’t McIlroy’s, but it was enough to hold off his partner Cameron Young, who eventually tied for second on 18 with that eagle.
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:48
Cameron Smith wins the Open title!
McIlroy hammers the chip at the flag but it bounces wide and past, and Cameron Smith is the Open champion.
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:42
The Open 2022
So, McIlroy must force this tricky chip into a play-off or it’s all over…
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:40
The Open 2022
McIlroy knows he needs two on the 18th. He tries to drive the green, but it comes up short and he needs a sensational pitch or a long putt to force a play-off. Smith has one hand on a claret jug.
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:36
The Open 2022
McIlroy marches to the 18th tee. Up the green, Smith judges another brilliant putt beautifully and taps for birdie. Then Young makes his eagle putt! So Young finished at 19-under, and Smith finished at 20-under-par with a 64 in his final round. Just hype, putting on an exhibition.
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:35
The Open 2022
He launches it to the left and it doesn’t convert – par with McIlroy on 17. agony
Lawrence Astler17 July 2022 18:33