Cameron Smith has won The 150th Open Championship after a nail-biting finale at St Andrews. The title was essentially decided through a gripping three-horse race round The Old Course between Smith and 2014 winner Rory McIlroy. The drama continued all the way to the end but it was the Australian who kept his nerve. He became the first golfer from Down Under to win The Open since Greg Norman in 1993.
McIlroy looked on course for a fifth major championship at the halfway mark, but Smith was simply unstoppable on this day. Five consecutive birdies from the tenth hole swung the momentum in the direction of the 28-year-old. A bogey-free, eight under par mark of 64. McIlroy had to make do with third in the end, finishing his round with Viktor Hovland with a two-under 70.
The unlucky Cameron on the day was Young. The 25-year-old American, playing alongside the eventual winner, put himself right amongst it as the 150th Open drew to a close. But the Claret Jug is going home with Smith, who equalled the lowest 72-hole total in men's major history. The Australian also becomes the first golfer since Jack Nicklaus in 1978 to win The Player’s Championship and The Open in the same season.
Congratulations, Cameron Smith, the Champion Golfer of the Year
#The150thOpen
