CNN
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A exceptional late surge from Cameron Smith noticed the Australian win his first main in gorgeous vogue on the one hundred and fiftieth Open Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland.

In his occasion debut, the 28-year-old drained 5 consecutive birdies as he tore by way of the again 9 of the Outdated Course, carding an eight-under 64 to pip taking part in accomplice Cameron Younger by a stroke at 20-under par.

After beginning the day 4 photographs forward of Smith, Rory McIlroy completed two strokes behind in third after signing off a bogey-free 70.

It meant heartbreak for the Northern Irishman who, seeking to finish an eight-year main drought, noticed a second Claret Jug win slip by way of his fingers after a day of missed placing alternatives.

Having shared the lead with Viktor Hovland on the summit after a pulsating Saturday duel, McIlroy seemed on monitor to lastly clinch his fifth main after pulling forward of the Norwegian on the fifth gap.

But whereas the 33-year-old subsequently birdied simply as soon as extra, up forward Smith – having already doubled the tally by his fifth gap – burst by way of the again 9 with a run of 5 birdies earlier than including yet one more on the 18th.

With Younger draining a dramatic closing eagle simply moments earlier, the Australian’s eighth and closing birdie of the spherical spared him a playoff, his victory assured after McIlroy didn’t make the speculative eagle chip wanted to attract stage.

It sealed a exceptional closing day fightback for Smith, whose disappointing 73-shot spherical Saturday had spoiled a gap 67 and a scintillating 64 that had seen him maintain the lead heading into the weekend.

His four-stroke overhaul matched the biggest comeback win at St. Andrews, most just lately achieved by John Daly in 1995. The triumph additionally noticed Smith turn out to be the primary Australian to carry the Claret Jug in nearly 30 years, after Greg Norman gained at Royal St George’s in 1993.