Australia's Cameron Smith has staged one of the greatest back-nine charges ever witnessed at a Major championship, coming from four shots behind to win the 150th British Open, as Rory McIlroy's drought continued.
Winner of golf's unofficial fifth major - The Players Championship - earlier this year, Smith carded a sensational final-round eight-under 64 that included a spectacular run of five consecutive birdies from the turn to become the first Australian to hoist the Claret Jug since Greg Norman in 1993.
The 28-year-old Queenslander also became the first Australian man to claim one of golf's four Majors, since Jason Day's victory at the 2015 PGA Championship.
Smith's winning total of 20-under 268 was one better than playing partner American Cameron Young, who eagled the last to finish alone in second, while McIlroy - the betting favourite coming into St Andrews - faltered at the finish to settle for third.
Reuters
