
Golf
Share
Published 20:11 17 Jul 2022 BST
Explore more on these topics:
"McIlroy and Hovland never sprung away," McGinley told Sky Sports. "They created a four shot advantage, last night, but they didn't spring away on that front nine [today] and run off. They kind of hung around and, as a result, they gave Cameron Smith a chance to come through and, boy, did he take it."[caption id="attachment_267624" align="aligncenter" width="594"]
Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland look on at the 15th tee, at The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)[/caption]
"He shot two under par. But, if you want to be cold about it, yeah. It's a Par 67 for Rory. There's three par fours that are drivable and two par fives you can reach in two. For some reason or another, he didn't make any bogeys today but he didn't take advantage of holes like 14, like Cameron Smith certainly did, or 12 - he didn't get up and down, there - or 9. "There's three [holes], but that's picking. He didn't do a whole lot wrong. To win Open championships with guys in the rearview mirror who are elite, like Cameron Smith, you've got to go out and grab it by the you-know-whats. "I don't think it's a time to be critical of Rory McIlroy. We should commend Cameron Smith. I don't think Rory did a whole lot wrong but, of course, he's going to think he left it on the table."It was only when McIlroy knew that Cameron Smith was going to the 18th tee on -19, and one ahead, that McIlroy truly went for broke with a shot. It was ballsy and it was brilliant - a 183-yard iron approach to the heart of the 17th green. You could see what McIlroy was trying to do, for most of his round. He was playing within himself but trying to pick off the birdie chances when they came. The back nine was almost like the second lap of an 800-metre race. McIlroy had a 10-yard lead as the bell round but he was stuck in a steady stride when the Aussie came blazing by his shoulder and never looked back. https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1548729705972568064 As Cameron Smith joked about seeing how many beers he could fit into the Claret Jug, Rory McIlroy looked ahead to a couple of weeks' holiday with his family. Since he won his last major, in 2014, the 33-year-old has finished in the top 10 of 17 more, without getting to the winners' enclosure. The next closest is Jon Rshm [15] and Brooks Koepka [14]. Still, it is a record McIlroy would rather not have.
Quiz: Name the players with the most top-25 finishes in Masters history
Legends of the game. Augusta National has seen all the greatest golfers to ever play game walk its hallowed grounds at the Masters. Some have conquered the famed course, while others have struggled to tame it. Over the years, there have been a few who have shown incredible longevity and consistency at the tournament, but […]
Golf
1 week ago
The Masters 2026 live hub
A tradition like no other! Masters week 2026 is finally here. The greatest tournament in golf is back, with the world’s best heading to Augusta National in Georgia. Will Rory regain his title or will Scheffler prove the bookies right? Can Shane Lowry make a run or will Justin Rose finally get over his hump? […]
Golf
2 weeks ago
Golf
FOOTAGE: Heartbreak on the 18th hole as Shane Lowry misses out in Dubai
Golf