Rory McIlroy seemed primed for glory at the 150th Open Championship, but it was Cameron Smith who went on a late run on the back nine to take home the Claret Jug. Smith shot a 30 on the back nine to finish with a 64 for the day and 20-under for the tournament to beat Cameron Young by one stroke and McIlroy by two strokes.
It was a clutch performance by Smith and a heartbreaker for McIlroy, who was tied for the lead with Viktor Hovland entering Sunday and held a four-stroke lead over Smith. McIlroy shot a 70 on Sunday and didn't make enough putts.
Meanwhile, Cameron Smith was on fire with the putter. He made five straight birdies at one point and executed an incredible par save on 17, where he putted from off the green on his third shot and then sunk a par putt with ice in his veins.
Smith's incredible performance drew reactions from all over Twitter:
One of THE great Final Round displays at The Open 👏
Congratulations, Cameron Smith, the Champion Golfer of the Year#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/vkuPua9Iqv
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith’s last 10-11 holes is some of the best golf I’ve ever seen. That was like watching Steph get hot in a playoff game.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 17, 2022
Long live The Mullet
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) July 17, 2022
the guy who's been banned from The Track in Destin for driving the wrong way just won the British Open pic.twitter.com/xz27j9sVWi
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) July 17, 2022
Congrats to Cam Smith for a historic win. And congrats to myself for picking him to win.
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) July 17, 2022
There was also plenty of reaction to Rory McIlroy losing out to Cameron Smith:
https://twitter.com/ShooterMcGavin_/status/1548726762376396803
“Hey Rory… sorry baht it” pic.twitter.com/97OOizax4m
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith seems like a cool guy. I’m ok. I’m fine. One day I’ll win a Major. It’s cool. I’m not spiraling
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 17, 2022
This wasn’t a collapse, just a monumental letdown. Rory’s stress showed on the greens but there were also costly missed opportunities with approach shots: 7, 14, 16. 69 is the absolute worst he could have shot. What a bummer.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) July 17, 2022
As noted, McIlroy didn't exactly choke given he shot a 70 and was in position to score much better, but he did miss out on some key opportunities and just couldn't hit the key shots when he needed them. Meanwhile, Smith's surge on the back nine will go down in history.
McIlroy hasn't won a major since 2014, when he won two of them (The Open, PGA Championship). This is Smith's first major victory after coming in second in the 2020 Masters.
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