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Open 2022 LIVE result: Final leaderboard as Cameron Smith beats Rory McIlroy to Claret Jug

Follow reaction from the final round of the Open Championship as Smith lifts the Claret Jug at St Andrews

Jack Rathborn
At St Andrews
,Tom Kershaw,Lawrence Ostlere
Sunday 17 July 2022 14:20 EDT
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Rory McIlroy’s wait for a fifth major goes on after he was beaten to the Claret Jug by the sensational Australian Cameron Smith.

Smith produced a string of birdies to close out with a round of 64, beating his playing partner Cameron Young by one shot, as McIlroy ended up finishing third with a final round of 70.

Follow for live updates and reaction from the Open at St Andrews, below:

The Open 2022

McIlroy rolls his putt agonisingly close but just short of the hole, and he must accept par on the 13th. Up ahead, Smith drills a brilliant second on to the 14th green to give himself a long eagle opportunity. Young comes up just short of the green with his second.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:38

The Open 2022

Hovland recovers well with a good approach to leave himself perhaps 15 feet for par. Now McIlroy’s second shot, up ahead on the right side of the 13th fairway, and he pulls his 8-iron to the left of the flag to leave himself a long putt. That’s not great.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:33

The Open 2022

Hovland is right up against the sheer face of the bunker. It’s an absolutely horrific position with no shot except to go out sideways. Urgh. He does just that, popping up on to the fairway next to the bunker.

Up ahead on 14, Cam Smith smashes another straight tee shot.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:32

The Open 2022

Brilliant by Cam Smith! He rolls in another birdie putt – his fourth in four holes on this back nine – to level with McIlroy on 18 under. Cam Young follows him in, and he’s now level with Hovland on -16.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:29

The Open 2022

Trouble for Hovland, who finds one of the Coffin Bunkers on the 13th fairway. No such problem for McIlroy as he booms a drive down the right side.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:27

The Open 2022

McIlroy misses! It slides by on the left side and he will tap in for a par on 12, which will feel like a bogey after Smith earned a shot at the same hole a moment ago. Hovland also birdies, and it is all bunching up at the top.

McIlroy -18 (12)

Smith -17 (12)

Hovland -16 (12)

Young -15 (12)

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:24

The Open 2022

Hovland chips delicately on to the shelf where the 12th flag waits, and it’s beautifully judged to about six feet. McIlroy’s chip is also well judged but not quite so deft, and he will have a slightly longer birdie effort here...

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:22

The Open 2022

The big threat for McIlroy is not Hovland right now but Smith, the two-round leader who cannot miss a putt at the moment. He hits his drive on 13 out left on to the sixth fairway and that will give him a good angle into the green.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:19

The Open 2022

A huge tee shot by Rory McIlroy goes up the right side on 12, avoiding the bunkers en route, and Hovland is equally safe taking a more central route. Both in good position to attack this 12th pin and pick up a shot here.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:17

The Open 2022

Another birdie by Smith, and he moves within one shot of McIlroy once more. He had a long eagle putt on the 12th but is happy to take a birdie and go to -17.

Lawrence Ostlere17 July 2022 17:15

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