Final Round Flashback – 2022 The Open: Camerons’ Soar, Rory’s Autopilot Heartbreak

The 150th Open Championship last year at St. Andrews Golf Links was a final round of golf that many of us remember vividly.

It seems like it was just yesterday the final pairing of Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland were headed out to try and win a Major Championship at the home of golf. But Australian Cameron Smith had other ideas.

McIlroy and Hovland sat at -16 heading into Sunday, four clear of the Camerons, as Smith and Young both were positioned at -12.

It seemed certain that McIlroy was headed for his first major in eight years, four clear of two of golf’s up-and-coming stars, and paired with Hovland, who, at that point, had never been in a final pairing at a Major. Rory’s experience and prowess seemed to be the key difference maker in the two players.

A final group worthy of Championship Sunday#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/6zFW4LMGmB

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022

The day started off with Rory making pars on the first four holes before a birdie on 5 had stretched his lead over Hovland to two strokes, as the Norweigian had bogeyed 4.

But by the time the final two groups had hit the turn, Young and Hovland had both trailed Rory by two, with Smith sitting three back.

Then, Cam Smith’s short game, and especially his putter, became the difference maker.

Cam Smith is co-leader 👀#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/Kt5PiKjBtj

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022

Smith truly took over with the putting as birdies on 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 had pushed his round to an incredible -7 with four to play.

The putter did not treat McIlroy the same, as Rory continued to Autopilot his way to pars. He only shot -2, with 16 pars on that Sunday, and it was not enough horsepower to get the job done.

But the real magic was on the 17th hole, as Cam Smith was sitting with his third shot and a tricky bunker in front of him, protecting the hole and the green. Instead of chipping over the bunker and perhaps leaving himself with more than 15 feet for par (a bogey here would have meant a tie with McIlroy, and a birdie needed on 18 to avoid a playoff).

Smith went around the bunker with his putter, leaving himself about 10 feet for Par.

‘Oh my goodness’

Cam Smith with nerves of steel 👏#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/DQ3atZKXTY

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022

Cameron Young made a last-minute effort on 18 with a drive on the green and one putt to Eagle the 72nd hole. It was enough to overtake McIlroy for 2nd place.

WOW!

An eagle from Cameron Young to finish at 19-under @TheOpen. pic.twitter.com/E83Wf2gnkS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 17, 2022

Cameron Smith became the Champion Golfer of the Year and won his first Major Championship.

But afterward, controversy was sparked when, during his Championship Press Conference, he was asked if he was planning to move to LIV Golf after the conclusion of the PGA Tour schedule.

He said:

“I’ve just won the British Open and you’re asking about that. I think that’s pretty….not that good.” 

The LIV Golf question everyone is tweeting about. Cam Smith with the death shot “i think thats… pretty, not that good” pic.twitter.com/Jn5FGtOUSf

— Let’s Get Topical (@LGTopical) July 17, 2022

Smith would go on to sign with LIV and join the Australian team with friend Marc Leishman.

This year’s Open Championship will take place at Royal Liverpool.

Cover Image Via Twitter