By: Michael Saladino
The Recap
Beginning this morning, it looked like we were in for an incredible final round at the 150th Open Championship. That was certainly the case come Sunday afternoon, as Cameron Smith captured his first major at St. Andrews. Smith started the final round four shots back of the leaders, Rory Mcilroy and Victor Hovlnad. As it looked like we were in for a match play situation between the two. With all the pressure and expectation put on Mcilroy to win this championship and end an eight year major drought. Mcilroy started in control with four easy pars to start his round before his first birdie on the par 5 fifth. Hovland, on the contrary, started with an opening bogey through the first four holes and failure to birdie the par 5. It looked like Mcilroy would be able to distance himself away from the field with Hovland struggling and the chasers still a bit back. As they made the turn for the back nine, Mcilroy led by two over Cameron Young and Victor Hovland. After Cam Smith went out in the front nine shooting a two under 34, he began to make his run on the back nine. Smith had a touch of class with his chip shot on the 10th hole to get up and down for birdie. That sparked a run from Smith. He went on to birdie 11,12,13, and 14. Mcilroy quickly saw his lead disappear as Smith took the lead by one on the 14th hole. Mcilroy, the favorite coming into this week and with the home field advantage crowd behind him needed to make a run. As consistent as Rory played finding 18 of 18 greens in regulation, he just could not make a putt all day. Smith on the opposite just could not miss with the putter.
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 17: Cameron Smith of Australia celebrates with The Claret Jug during Day Four of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
On the 17th hole, the famous road hole at the St. Andrews. Smith’s reliable putter helped him with a clutch up and down for Par just in front of the pot bunker. Mcilroy missed another birdie chance on 17th to tie Smith. Cameron Young eagled the 18th hole driving the green and made a clutch putt to tie Smith. That tie would only last for moments, as once again Cameron Smith clutching up and down with the putter led to a closing birdie on 18. Smith’s closing round 64 found himself in the lead at 20 – under par, with only Mcilroy needing an eagle at 18 to catch him. Mcilroy drove it just short of the green and had to chip in to force a playoff with Smith. Mcilroy’s chip missed the hole and went past about 15 feet, giving Smith the championship. Smith’s back nine 29 and 20 under par score was the best championship score posted at an Open Championship at St. Andrews. Cameron Young came in second falling just one shot short of tying Smith. Mcilroy finished with a closing round 70 coming in third place. Other notables such as Hovland finished T4, Dustin Johnson coming in T6, and other contenders like Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantley, and Bryson Dechambeau finished in T8.
What it Means To Mike
First off, what a week it was. With all the storylines coming in, the 150th Open Championship at St.Andrews, Tiger Woods returning to another major championship, the ongoing debate between the PGA Tour and LIV, etc. I think this Open Championship at St. Andrews delivered. There was plenty of discussion of if St.Andrews deserves to be a part of the Open Championship rotation every couple years. With all the short par 4s and driver wedge holes, everyone knew the scores would be low. This week showcased how it was not how low the scores were but the type of golf that had to be played to navigate the tricky slopes the pins were placed on. Not even the pin locations but how firm the golf course was. The golf itself delivered from so many contenders. I’ll start with Rory Mcilory. So many places to start. Mcilroy with all the expectations and pressure put on him really did almost deliver. Mcilroy was trying to end a long eighth year major drought. He did not choke this tournament away or made mistakes to bring the field in. This time he was just beaten by the better player in Cameron Smith. As much as this one will hurt, being a big fan of Rory, he hit every green in regulation and finished in the top ten in every major championship this season. His game is there, it is just a question of when! Cameron Smith on the other hand is red hot. After his big win to start the year in Hawaii, over Jon Rahm. Then, Smith outlasted everyone at The Players Championship which took 5 days to finish. Now, he has his first major championship and puts himself in the history books with an historic season. A season that will have him in contention with Scottie Scheffler for the player of the year debate. This major goes deeper than the battle between Smith and Mcilroy.
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)
With the state of the game right now in a split over the PGA Tour/LIV debate, this could have been the last major championship in this state of normal. This and the US Open brought all the players together, no matter if they play on the PGA Tour or on the LIV Tour. It will be interesting to see if LIV players will be able to compete in all the majors next season, with no OWGR points being awarded. In my personal opinion, if the LIV players are able to compete in major championships, then I can see a lot more players headed over. If they are not allowed to compete in major championships due to not having enough OWGR points, then what does that mean for the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and so many more. Only time will answer that question but until then let’s appreciate the golf that we watched at St. Andrew and celebrate the achievement Cameron Smith proved to everyone on that back nine.
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