Cameron Smith had a back nine to remember.
Smith shot a 6-under 30 on the back nine of the final round at the 2022 Open Championship, finishing the day at 8-under 64 and the tournament at 20-under to win his first major in thrilling fashion.
Smith opened the back nine with five consecutive birdies to take a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy, who held a two-stroke lead over Smith midway through the final round. Smith briefly lost the lead on the 18th hole after Cameron Young eagled to take a one-stroke advantage. Smith then birdie the 18th, his sixth birdie on the back nine, to win the Claret Jug.
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McIlroy entered the day tied with Viktor Hovland at 16-under after the two had overtaken Smith for first place entering Sunday's final round at St Andrews' Old Course.
Smith entered Saturday in first place at 13-under, holding a two-stroke advantage over second-place Cameron Young. But Smith shot a 1-over 73 to drop into a tie for third with Young at 12-under.
A two-shot lead for Smith turned into a four-shot deficit as Hovland and McIlroy both recorded a 6-under 66 on Saturday to claim a share of first place after being tied for third to start the day.
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But Smith closed the cap with a historic performance on Sunday. Young finished second at 19-under thanks to an eagle on Hole 18. McIlroy, who was seeking his second Claret Jug, took third at 18-under.
What was the leaderboard at the 2022 Open Championship?
Here's an expanded look at the final leaderboard at St Andrews:
1. Cameron Smith: -20
2. Cameron Young: -19
3. Rory McIlroy: -18
T-4. Tommy Fleetwood: -14
T-4. Viktor Hovland: -14
T-6. Brian Harman -13
T-6. Dustin Johnson: - 13
T-8. Bryson DeChambeau -12
T-8. Patrick Cantlay -12
T-8. Jordan Spieth: -12
T-11. Sadom Kaewkanjana -11
T-11. Abraham Ancer -11
T-11. Dean Burmester -11
T-11. Tyrrell Hatton -11
You can check out the full leaderboard here.
