Of all the close calls Rory McIlroy has had in majors since his last win at the PGA Championship in 2014, his defeat at the Open today will be the hardest to take.
McIlroy came into the final round level with Viktor Hovland, both on 16 under, and four shots ahead of Cameron Smith and Cameron Young.
While McIlroy did not 'bottle' it or play particularly poorly, an all-time 8 under round from the Aussie Smith rendered his efforts useless.
Smith, known for his sensational putting, caught McIlroy on the 13th hole after sinking his fourth birdie in a row, and on the par 5 14th he took the outright lead with another birdie finish.
Smith's best hole of the day was possibly his par on one of the most difficult hols in golf, the 17th, after a wayward approach shot.
Four birdies in a row for Cameron Smith! 🤯
He's got a share of the lead with Rory McIlroy on -18! pic.twitter.com/fJVDNNEL8k— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2022
"If he goes on to win that's the best two-putt of his life"
Cool as you like from Cameron Smith 👏 pic.twitter.com/T7jrEXepyv— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2022
McIlroy's big error of his round was failing to reach the 14th in two, and he could not get up and down to find a four of his own.
It left him needing to hole long putts on the tough 16th and the infamous road hole, and while he came close, the story of his round was unfortunately 'no cigar'.
McIlroy did have one last shot on the driveable 18th but his drive was short, leaving him a difficult chip for the eagle he needed to send the Open to a play-off.
And just like that Rory extends his lead back to two! 👏 pic.twitter.com/a3l4PJXbH2
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2022
Sensational Smith! 🔥
What a final round from Cameron Smith to go -20, which means Rory McIlroy will need an eagle to force a playoff! 😮 pic.twitter.com/10Md801drz— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2022
It was not to be for McIlroy, at the 150th Open Championship in the home of golf St. Andrews, and in the end he finished in third-place behind Cameron Young.
Smith can now add the Claret Jug to the Players Championship (known as thee fifth major) crown he won in March.
There were disappointing rounds as well for the other Irish who had made the weekend. Shane Lowry finished tied-21st after shooting two under, while David Carey finished in a tie for 62nd place after a final round of one over par.
SEE ALSO: Tiger Woods Admits It Was Rory McIlroy Gesture That Made Him Cry At The Open
