ST. ANDREWS (Scotland) — Tiger Woods left The Open on Friday, possibly to leave St. Andrews for good. Cameron Smith cannot help but wonder if the 150th Open is his debut as an undisputed elite player. Smith has already won the PLAYERS Championship this season and is now at No. Smith is currently ranked No. 3 in the world. He won the major by two shots, with an 8-under 64. This was his first major win. Rory McIlroy was another shot behind. Smith stated, “It’s clearly a great spot to be in.” “I feel like this spot has been a lot in the past few years and things haven’t gone my way yet.” Woods crossed the Swilcan Bridge and walked the last 356 yards without stopping to take pictures. It was a long day with 75 holes to make the cut. Woods did not retire from The Open or major championship golf. Woods isn’t sure whether a right leg that is held together with hardware or a lower spine fused will be able to allow him to play when The Open returns at St. Andrews. He said, “It’s very emotionally for me.” “It felt like I was playing in my last British Open at St. Andrews. It was incredible to feel the support, the warm ovation, and the warmth from the fans. Woods was applauding thousands of fans in so many places around St. Andrews. Smith was making birdie after birdsie to take control. Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get better, Smith hit a 65-foot eagle shot on the 14th hole. Young made a few mistakes but he closed the round with a birdie to score a 69. He was in the last group along with Smith heading into the weekend. McIlroy’s 25-foot birdie on Road Hole at 17th got one of the most enthusiastic cheers. McIlroy missed an 18th-hole birdie opportunity. He was able to follow up his 66-yard start with a solid round of 69. Viktor Hovland tied him with Smith, who had his own thrills. He holled out from 139 yards on the par-4 15th green for an eagle and finished with a birdie to complete a 66. Smith was at 13-under-131, which is the lowest 36-hole score at The Open at St. Andrews. Even without Woods, a weekend is great for theater. Dustin Johnson, already a Masters green jacket, and a U.S. Open Title at Oakmont, played in the best conditions of this week, light rain that lit some of the Old Course’s fire and then the warmth of the sun for a 67. He was four shots behind. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters champion, was right behind him with another 68. Smith has a reputation for being a great putter and a great weapon on the St. Andrews greens. He plays with no fear. After opening with three consecutive birdies, Smith began to move around the loop at St. Andrews’ far end. He putted an 18-footer on No. 7 made birdie at 30 feet on the par-3 8th. He then drove the 10th green, and then two-putted from about 90 feet to make a third birdie in just four holes. Smith putted the long eagle shot at the par-5 14. It looked like he had just putted in a par-par. He’s a master of that game. This is his style. He said, “I don’t get too excited or too mad.” He said that he likes to be in the middle. Many people find it boring to watch. That’s how I play my golf. McIlroy is on the opposite end, one of the most dynamic players his generation. He is a great candidate to fill the hole when Woods isn’t there. With four majors in his career, and always promising more, McIlroy is a top choice. This explains the tee times. R&A tried to find the perfect time for Woods and McIlroy to cross paths. Woods would go one way towards the 18th hole, McIlroy would head down the first. This is how it ended up. McIlroy glanced over and tiptoed to Woods. McIlroy stated, “Everyone hopes that it’s not his end of his Old Course career.” McIlroy said, “I believe he deserves — and we deserve him — another chance at it.” Woods was not the only one to leave early. Collin Morikawa was the first defending champion not to make the cut since Darren Clarke 2012. Phil Mickelson missed The Open’s third consecutive cut. McIlroy will be trying to join the ranks of those who have won Opens at St. Andrews. He was in the top 10 at the three previous majors. He was the RBC Canadian Open winner last month. He believes he is playing well consistently. Given his major experience, it would be easy for one to assume that Smith is exactly where he wants. Smith is the first to make this happen, as he has already taken down the No. Smith is the No. 1 player at Kapalua (Jon Rahm), and THE PLAYERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP has the strongest field of golfers. McIlroy stated, “I just need go out and play the game and play my golf over two days and that’s all you can do.” “Cam Smith shoots two more rounds, just like he did the first two. I’m going have a hard time winning the tournament,” McIlroy said. Now I have to do my best and not worry too much about myself.
By: Associated Press
Title: Cameron Smith leads after 36 holes at The Open Championship
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/daily-wrapup/2022/07/15/cameron-smith-leads-36-holes-at-the-open-championship-st-andrews-36-hole-record.html
Published Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:07:00 -0400
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