2022 British Open golf today: final day, live online | Cameron Smith wins Open
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-20: C Smith
-19: C Young
-18: R McIlroy
-14: V Hovland / T Fleetwood
-13: B Harman / D Johnson
-12: P Cantlay / B DeChambeau / J Speith
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What an exciting round four, the back nine was just neck and neck, each time a player struck for gold, the others matched them pace for pace. In the end, it was not so much what Rory did wrong as what Cam Smith did right. His putter was shooting off sparks and he was unbeatable, by anyone, at the 2022 Open Championship.
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Cameron Smith's round was one for the record books
Cameron Smith's 30 on the back nine is the lowest score over a closing nine holes by an Open winner in history. His final round score of 64 ties the second lowest ever, by Greg Norman in 1993. Only Henrik Stenson's 63 back in 2016 is lower.
And while we are looking at stats, Rory McIlroy is the only player ever to hold the 54-hole lead at a major, and hit every green in regulation in the final round and then not win.
Cameron Smith raises the Claret Jug
Showing pure emotion, Cam Smith was teary-eyed within seconds during his acceptance speech when he was presented with the Claret Jug. He acknowledged the gravitas of the place and the occasion, saying that he was lost for words when considering the others who have won at St Andrews. “I thought the course was exactly how an Open Championship should be played. Firm and fast, tough pins. It was just unreal. Thank you guys so much.”
He also thanks the Aussie fans in the crowd. “This one’s for Aus!" He is the first Australian to win the Open in 28 years and when asked what he felt about the Claret Jug that he was holding, he shot back like a true Australian, saying, "I'm definitely gonna find out how many beers fit in this thing!"
Rory McIlroy was all class in his post round interview. Hats off to him.
"I felt like I didn't do much wrong today, but I didn't do much right either. It's just one of those days where I played a really controlled round of golf. I did what I felt like I needed to just apart from capitalising on the easier holes - around the turn, 9, 12, 14. If I had made the birdies there from good positions, it probably would have been a different story. But, look, I got beaten by a better player this week. 20-under par for four rounds of golf around here is really, really impressive playing, especially to go out and shoot 64 today to get it done."
Cameron Smith came into the day four shots down
With today's performance, Cameron Smith equals the biggest comeback win in St Andrews history. This eagle putt on 18 was a pretty fair assesment of his play today. Just simply superb, from start to finish.
McIlroy fairytale comes up short
In a round where Rory made no real mistakes, the Claret Jug seemed to slip through his fingers in slow motion. McIlroy made par after par, and on a links course the caliber of St Andrews you would be happy with that. But Cameron Smith simply made birdie after birdie after birdie, five in a row at one point. We watched as Rory's lead simply evaporated, every hole willing him on to sink his birdie opportunities.
While it is disappointing for Rory, I don't think that there was anyone who could have beaten Cam Smith today. His play was amazing and his putter, in particular, was simply on fire.
What a masterclass
Cameron Smith wins the 150th Open
What an astonishing closing round to the Open. Cameron Smith has shot a 64 to finish out -20. This is the first major win for the Australian, and he did it in legendary fashion, bringing to mind shades of Tiger Woods' legendary 2000 run.
What a finish for Cameron Young
Cameron Young with an eagle, Smith answers back
Cameron Young eagles the 18th to tie Cameron Smith at -19. Not to be outdone, Cameron Smith comes back with a birdie to go to -20!
Rory McIlroy misses birdie on 17
After a stupendous approach, Rory McIlroy misses his birdie chance at the 17th, just as Cameron Smith goes up to the 18th. McIlroy putts in in for a par to stay at -18.
This may have been the shot that determines the day
Cam Smith on the road hole
Cameron Smith heads to the notorious 17th still leading by a shot at -19.
He finds the fairway with his tee shot, but there could be a bit of bunker trouble in his future. He safely navigates the hazard and finishes the trickiest hole at St Andrews with a beautiful putt for par. He moves on to the 18th still at -19, and the final hole has been rendering birdies today and perhaps that 17th may be the key to the round.
A 13th par today for Rory McIlroy. His birdie shot was beautifully paced, just not quite high enough and misses left. Good at St Andrews is not good enough.
This sort of sums up McIlroy's day. He has had every opportunity to pull out ahead but just can't make the birdie.
Speith finishes with a par
Jordan Speith had a great run halfway through the round, before wobbles sent him down the leaderboard. He finishes out with a par on the 18th, to end at 12 under and currently in joint eighth.
As we started the final day, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Norway’s Victor Hovland led the way on -16 after three rounds. There was a star-studded and hungry pack behind them and many experts were anticipating a strong finish for several of them which could see the St Andrews crowd witness a tied finish in the 150th edition of the famous Open Championship.
As we've seen, this is exactly what happened and we're very much in store for a playoff, which works slightly differently to others.
With three holes to go for Cameron Smith, all eyes are on him and Rory. He parred his 15th, but needs to stay faultless on the final three.
Rory can't find the birdie
Sticking with the theme of the day, Rory McIlroy sees another birdie putt shave the side of the hole on the 14th.
Brian Harman finishes at 13 under par
Brian Harman finishes out with a birdie at the 18th, to end the day 13 under par. For the moment, at least, he has a joint sixth place.
Young stays close
Cameron Young faced a tricky chip with his third shot but pulled out a steamer to set up his birdie putt. Sinking it, he now moves to -17, just two adrift of the new leader.
Fun Fact: the last mulleted golfer to win the Open? John Daly back in 1995
Cameron Smith takes the lead
Five birdies in a row for the Australian give him sole ownership of the lead. Rory hasn't done anything wrong, but Smith is on fire.
Luke Donald has a valid point here. Rory has missed too many birdie opportunities today.
Cameron Smith joint lead
Cameron Smith sinks his fourth birdie in a row, to go 18 under, joining Rory McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard!
Viktor Hovland gets first birdie
Viktor Hovland sinks his first birdie of the day to go back to -16, where he started the day. He is now joint second, only one stroke back of his playing partner, Rory McIlroy.
Says it all. What a blazing hot putter he has today!
Cameron Smith draws to within one...again
Cameron Smith is not to be shaken off so easily today. He is a birdie putting machine at the moment, drawing now to within one on Rory, going -17
McIlroy strikes back
Rory McIlroy responds immediately to the chase by Cameron Smith, sinking a birdie putt of his own! He narrowly missed a stunning 126 foot eagle putt by inches. He stretches his lead now to 18 under par.
Cameron Smith one stroke back
Cameron Smith's short game is on point today, sinking a birdie putt to go to -16, one stroke back of the leader Rory McIlroy.
Cameron Smith showing great touch today
Dustin Johnson putting well toda
Dustin Johnson is keeping close with his short game
Adam Scott has to take a drop
Double bogey for Adam Scott after losing a ball in the gorse, forcing him to take a dropped shot penalty. He now drops back down to -11
Jordan Spieth pitched up to the 12th, missing an eagle by inches! Misses the two-foot for birdie and gets the par with his next shot.
Cameron Young sinks birdie
Cameron Young draws closer to the lead with a birdie putt to go -15! That now makes 4 birdies in 5 holes for Cameron Young. What a run he is on!
Is Rory McIlroy on the cusp of making history?
A win at the Old Course would give McIlroy a second Open victory, placing him on a list of greats to have won the venerable tournament more than once – a feat he has already achieved at the PGA Championship – as well as moving him up the list of all-time major winners to level with Seve Ballesteros, Peter Thompson, Byron Nelson, John Henry Taylor and James Braid.
And what about a career grand slam? Rob Train has a lookie...
Rory's stunning approach
What a blazing approach shot by McIlroy!
McIlroy birdie extends lead
It's still very early, and putts are being holed all over, but Rory has given himself some breathing space with a four at the par 5 5th.
The cheers from the Scottish crowd suggest he'll be a very popular winner of this tournament.
Great Scott!
We've not said much about Australian Adam Scott but he's sniffing around the leaders, a birdie putt on the seventh taking him to -12.
Englishman Fleetwood also keeping up his early form and makes it three players sharing that score.
Spieth stutters
The top of the leaderboard is changing quickly and Jordan's four-birdies-in-seven momentum has been hit with a bogey at the 8th.
He drops back to -11.
A few of those following our live coverage today have been asking about the title used for this, The Open Championship, as it is also known as the British Open to some. The oldest and most prestigious golf tournament in the world.
Originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, the tournament is now played in Great Britain every year (and a few times in Northern Ireland). While the official name of the tournament is, and always has been, “The Open Championship,” one may wonder why some people, specifically Americans, refer to it as the British Open. Let’s take a dip into history.
Rory out on his own
A dropped shot from Hovland on the 4th means McIlroy's par is enough to put him into an outright lead.
Will that spur him on to pull away?
US stars breaking out
Pulling out of the pack, Dustin Johnson's birdie on the 5th and Jordan Spieth's on the 8th takes them both onto -12, four behind the leading score.
Spieth is -4 for the day... and those ahead will no doubt see his name rising on the board!
Smith on the chase
I talked about Cam Smith having to do a Taylor Swift after that early bogie and he certainly has.
Two consecutive birdies have taken him to -13, alongside his playing partner, Cam Young, both now three behind the leaders.
Silver Celli
Italian Filippo Celli has had a lovely few days in Scotland and takes the Silver Medal as the leading amateur in the field.
Solid starts from the leaders
McIlroy and Hovland have been flirting with extending their leads at the top of the leaderboard but have, at least, held firm with opening pars.
At the third, the Northern Irishman was surely going to see his drop but settled again for a leveller. Both stay at -16.
Schauffele shuffles to -11
Xander Schauffele still has his eyes on the top of this leaderboard.
An eagle at the 14th, putting from just three feet away, moves him into the 11-under group. Some effort!
Spieth climbing
Jordan fancies a good final day.
The American is -3 for the day after just five holes and in that congested group at -11, all currently tied for fourth.
Spieth's birdie is followed by an eagle for his playing partner Cantley, shifting him up to -10.
If yesterday was moving day, today appears to be snuggle-up-together day. Let's see if it lasts...
The Eagle has landed
Detry, Detry, and Detry again.
The Belgian ended his championship on a very respectable -7 and what a way to bring it home.
Top dogs out last
As the PGA Tour Comms team reminds us, we've got two of the best ranked players in the world right now concluding the 150th Open Championship.
It could be a rather exciting ending.
Smith edges closer
Scratch what I just said! Cam Smith holes his putt at the second and is now just three shots behind the leaders at -13. Nice!
McIlroy and Hovland on a par
The leaders both go close with their makeable putts but settle for a four at the first.
They remain at -16, four ahead of Smith.
Surprising bogey for Young
Cameron Young needs to shake off an early bogey and remember everything he's been working on in his putting sessions.
Three hits needed on the dancefloor will need to be cancelled out soon, but he drops behind Cam Smith to the growing group on -11.
Magic McIlroy moments
Will we see, and hear, more of these moments as the leaders head around The Old Course?
Both leaders have found the green with their second and will fancy their chances of an early birdie. It'll be McIlroy up first, Hovland pitching just inside him... a sly smirk hard to conceal.
Leaders are ready and go
Hovland and McIlroy stepped out onto the 1st just a few seconds ago and have both hit lovely drives, in very decent shape on the fairway.
The support here for the Northern Ireland man is clear.
Kaewkanjana and Ancer share clubhouse lead
Sadom Kaewkanjana ends his Open with a rather lovely 65 (-7) which takes him to -11 and a share of the clubhouse lead.
Abraham Ancer decides to match him on the final day and in doing so joins his playing partner on -11.
Get them Hovland, McIlroy voodoo dolls out, lads!
Cameron time
Did you know that no one called Cameron has ever won the Open?
The 150th edition certainly has a chance of seeing that obscure fact change as two men with that name are in serious contention, and both have just teed off on their final round.
Both start on -12, four behind tied leaders, Hovland and McIlroy.
Fleetwood looking good
Cracking start to the final round from Fleetwood.
Plenty birdies seen already and Tommy has knocked in a putt from over 20 feet. He's 10 under, tied in seventh, and is dreaming of things going his own way. C'mon, puns are surely expected on a day like this.
As I play with old song titles, Jordan Spieth joins the 10-under crew on the third.
Kirk shows enterprise to beam himself into contention
It's a windy one at St Andrews today but US player Chris Kirk has weathered the elements to move up the leaderboard with a cracking front nine to move up to -8.
There has of course been a spot of controversy leading into this year's Open as a result of the breakaway LIV Invitational tour. Several players have faced criticism fo joining the Saudi Arabia-backed tour and those that have remained loyal to the PGA have taken the Open as an opportunity to thumb their noses in the direction of the LIV by proving that theirs is still the place to be. Going into the final round on Sunday, only one LIV player, Dustin Johnson, is within touching distance of McIlroy and Hovland, so it appears it will be PGA 1, LIV 0, when the final ball is holed.
Leaderboard on day four
Before play began earlier today and Kaewkanjana cantered into the upper reaches with a stunning round, this is how the leaderboard was shaped after round three.
-16: McIlroy, Hovland
-12: Young, Smith
-11: Kim, Scheffler
-10: D Johnson
-9: Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Scott
-8: Spieth, Cantlay
Should McIlroy win for a second time on Sunday, he will join an illustrious list of players to have claimed the Claret Jug more than once. AS USA's Gidget Alikpala has a run-down of the Open's multiple champions down the years.
The Open final round: leaders tee-times
The contenders will be out shortly, with the schedule looking like this (all times CEST):
3.20pm: Dustin Johnson and Tommy Fleetwood
3.30pm: Si Woo Kim and Scottie Scheffler
3.40pm: Cameron Young and Cameron Smith
3.50pm: Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland
There are a few more players in with a decent shout of ending the day on top with a decent round today. Camerons Smith and Young are both tied on -12, followed by Si Woo-Kim (-11), world number one and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler (-11), late-charger Sadom Kaewkanjana (-10) and Dustin Johnson (-10).
McIlroy seeking second Open title
The Northern Irishman is currenly tied at the top of the leaderboard with Norway's Hovland on -16 after both golfers shot 66s in the third round. McIlroy claimed the coveted Claret Jug back in 2014 at Royal Liverpool and is aiming to win for a second time.
The Open: final round live
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of the final round of the 150th edition of the Open from St Andrews. The current leaders, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, are due out last at around 15:50 CEST.