Cameron Smith has become the first Australian golfer in 29 years to win the Open Championship, after a stunning final round 64 at St Andrews.
Smith’s total of 20-under left him one shot clear of American Cameron Young, with third-round co-leader Rory McIlroy a further shot back.
McIlroy could only manage a final-round 70, while the other third round leader, Viktor Hovland, was never a factor and shot 74 as Smith surged to the lead.
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Smith made five birdies in a row between the 10th and 14th holes, and also birdied the last, his 64 the lowest final round by a winner at the Open Championship, which this year celebrates its 150th edition.
Smith was lost for words after the win.
“It is unreal to look at the names on this trophy and then add mine,” he said.
“I’m definitely going to find out how many beers fit in 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 to have won at St Andrews.
“To win an Open Championship in itself is probably going to be a golfer’s highlight in their career,” Smith said. “To do it around St. Andrews I think is just unbelievable.”
McIlroy hit all 18 greens in regulation and two-putted all of them – twice for birdie – in a round of 70.
“I got beaten by the better player this week. To go out and shoot 64 to win the Open Championship at St. Andrews is a hell of a showing. Hats off to Cam,” McIlroy said.
“The putter went cold on me. When both Camerons — especially Smith — went on that run on the back nine, I had to dig deep to make birdies. And I just couldn’t.”
The win is Smith’s third of the year, having also taken out the prestigious Players Championship in March. Ranked sixth in the world before this week, Smith is expected to move to second when the new rankings are released.
His run of five straight birdies will go down in championship history, given it took place on the back nine on the final day of an Open Championship. The fifth birdie gave him the lead for the first time.
The infamous 17th hole threatened to bring him undone, but he calmly rolled in a 10-footer to save par.
When he birdied the last, his place in history was assured.
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