Missed everything while at church. Got to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch just as Smith was putting around the Road Hole bunker. What an up-and-down! On 18 when Young tied it with eagle and then Smith took the lead back with birdie I was thinking what’s next, a HIO from Rory? I didn’t care who won today, but glad someone won it aggressively.

I have never been a big Rory fan but never disliked him. I watched his interview after the round and you could see the disappointment on his face. He admitted that he played a nice controlled round but missed a bunch of opportunities. He did give credit where credit was due and and said that he wasn't the best golfer on the course today and congratulated Cam on his great round. I have more respect for Rory. Well done young man.

    Some of the best putting I've ever seen (in a major) by Cam Smith. Tee to green as well. The birdie string on 10 thru 14 was epic.

    I hear the consensus is that Rory was too conservative on his approach shots.

      The Open was not about Rory. He finished 3rd.

      What about Cameron Young, and the way he played for 4 days.....and made the shot of the tournament on 18, in the final round?? And finished ahead of Rory, in 2nd place, btw.

        fatshot
        Not sure how the stats were for this year, but heading into the Open I had read that the last four (or maybe it was 5?) winners at St Andrews all led the field in putting. I guess with greens that large, GIR is meaningless.

          DonM

          DonM I hear the consensus is that Rory was too conservative on his approach shots.

          That, AND the fact that Smith took NINE fewer putts than Rory over 72 holes...!!

                Par4QC Agree, I see people keep saying well, Rory played good he just lost to a great round. Rory didn't even finish 2nd. He let two guys who were 4 shots behind him pass him on an easy scoring day.

                  fatshot That, AND the fact that Smith took NINE fewer putts than Rory over 72 holes...!!

                  Which goes back to proximity to the hole.

                      garyt1957 Which goes back to proximity to the hole.

                      In some cases, but Smith wasn't kicking in birdies all day long.
                      He did make great first putts on 15 and 18, which sealed the deal.
                      Rory was nowhere close on his makeables, starting with the first hole
                      :/

                        Par4QC What about Cameron Young, and the way he played for 4 days

                        He quietly stole the 2nd place show. He doesn't buzz the media, I guess. I'm impressed, but I'm just one in a zillion spectators.

                        The Eagle on #18 was epic. I'll be watching him closely.

                            sdandrea1 He quietly stole the 2nd place show

                            He had his chances too, maybe more than Rory, but his putter let him down too.

                              sdandrea1

                              I had him in my pick 10 contest I do with my buddies. Unfortunately I also picked Morikawa and his missed cut took me out of the competition. Oh well.

                                sdandrea1 Didn't we both pick him in the contest? Perhaps a bit of mis-spelling, but still, didn't we?

                                  Rickochet I have never been a big Rory fan but never disliked him. I watched his interview after the round and you could see the disappointment on his face. He admitted that he played a nice controlled round but missed a bunch of opportunities. He did give credit where credit was due and and said that he wasn't the best golfer on the course today and congratulated Cam on his great round. I have more respect for Rory. Well done young man.

                                  Not surprised by how Rory handled the loss. Rory is a class act.

                                    Cam Smith could not get a putt to drop in the 3rd round. He had a fair amount of good putts that did not fall. Curious as to what it looked like if some had

                                    If ifs and buts were candy and nuts every day would be Christmas.