For the first nine holes of the final round of the British Open, Cameron Smith was playing well. But when he turned onto the back nine, Smith found another gear.
Smith started the inward half by nearly driving the green on the short par-four 10th hole. His chip was spectacular, finishing in tap-in range.
A touch of class from Cam Smith👏#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/Ej0nnvPSW2
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022
That birdie moved Smith to within two of Rory McIlroy’s lead. It was also the beginning of a jaw-dropping stretch of golf.
Smith made birdie on the 11th and 12th holes and got to the 13th green one shot back of McIlroy. Smith kept the momentum going, making his fourth birdie in a row to tie McIlroy.
Cam Smith is co-leader 👀#The150thOpen pic.twitter.com/Kt5PiKjBtj
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2022
Again, he was not done. Smith reached the green on the par-five 14th hole in two shots. His eagle putt from 110 feet didn’t go in but did settle down right next to the hole. He made the tap-in for fifth consecutive birdie, taking the outright lead in the process.
There's a new leader at the Old Course!
Cameron Smith makes it five birdies in a row and currently leads by one shot at -19.
📺: @nbc and @peacockTV
💻: https://t.co/DhnlOakkwG pic.twitter.com/Xnn9Q5Rudd— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2022
Those watching the Open were in complete awe of Smith’s remarkable hot streak.
Cam Smith is putting on a freaking clinic
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith’s putting is, in every sense of the word, unbelievable.
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) July 17, 2022
Killa Cam Smith putter scary…
— andre (@andre) July 17, 2022
“It’s time for Rory’s coronation!”
Cam Smith: pic.twitter.com/A3toxaU8LB
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith tearing up the Rory script and offering a hellacious rewrite. Dazzling stuff.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith is in range when he gets past half court right now.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith pic.twitter.com/60j1NAGrA3
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith. pic.twitter.com/Iwwtk2VIJL
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) July 17, 2022
Cam Smith can roll the rock. Hole speed is just so good. Just pours them in.
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) July 17, 2022
Smith’s birdie streak ended on the 15th hole. His drive missed the fairway and while he did find the green with his approach shot, his birdie putt missed. Smith did manage to save par, though, making a short but tricky putt.
Entering the inward half, Smith was three shots back and it seemed like a foregone conclusion that McIlroy would win. When Smith teed up on 16, he had a one-stroke lead. That change of fortune happened despite McIlroy not making a single bogey. It truly was one of the greatest stretches of golf in major championship history.