Rory McIlroy failed to end his eight-year wait for a major championship when Cameron Smith jumped through the field to win the 150th Open in St Andrews.
Four-time major champion McIlroy had justified his tournament favorites title during the opening three rounds of the Old Course, impressing from tee to green to join Viktor Hovland for the final round.
But McIlroy’s fortunes began to turn on Sunday as the Northern Irishman missed several birdie putts to extend his lead when Norway’s Hovland dropped out.
McIlroy still managed to score 5th and 10th, but saw his lead disappear when Australian Smith started the back nine with five consecutive birdies.
It was a putting masterclass from Players Championship winner Smith, who made an excellent par on 17th to keep his lead over McIlroy in one go before making the final birdy to finish 20 under.
Since McIlroy missed another birdie putt on the 17th, he needed an eagle on the latter to force a playoff with Smith, but he could only birdie to finish one off the leader.
More to follow…
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