Cam Smith was four strokes off the lead going into the fourth round of the Open Championship Sunday and needed two things to happen. He had to make nearly every putt and hope Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland slipped up just enough for him to get back into the lead.
What happened was nothing short of a miracle given just how hot McIlroy and Hovland were the entire tournament. Smith rebounded after shooting a 73 in the third.
Cameron Smith of Australia plays his second shot on the second hole during the final round of The 150th Open on The Old Course at St. Andrews July 17, 2022, in St. Andrews, Scotland. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
Smith scored eight birdies, 10 pars and a clutch save at the 17th hole in the final round.
"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."
He didn’t bogey any hole and finished with a 64 in the final round. It was the second time he shot a 64 in the tournament. He posted that score in the second round Friday.
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It was Smith’s first major tournament win. He came close at the 2020 Masters with a second-place tie.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the fourth hole during the final round of The 150th Open on The Old Course at St. Andrews July 17, 2022, in St. Andrews, Scotland. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
"All the names on there, every player that’s been at the top of their game has won this championship," he added. "It’s pretty cool to be on there. It really hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t think it will for a few weeks. Yeah, it’s just unreal."
ESPN Stats & Info relayed a few key milestones related to Smith’s victory at St. Andrews. He became the only player over the last 20 years to record a birdie in the first five holes on the back nine final round of any major golf tournament. Smith also became the first player since Phil Mickelson in 2013 to come back to win the Open down four strokes.
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McIlroy shared the lead going into the final round. He never bogeyed a hole in the final round but only recorded two birdies. He finished with a final round 70, which landed him in third place for the Open. He was 18-under for the tournament.
Cameron Young of The United States plays his second shot on the fifth hole during the final round of The 150th Open on The Old Course at St. Andrews July 17, 2022, in St. Andrews, Scotland. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
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Cameron Young picked up the second-place finish thanks to an eagle on the 18th hole. He finished 19-under par for the tournament. It was his best finish in any golf major to date. He finished tied for third in the PGA Championship earlier this year.
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