McIlroy falters on final day at St. Andrews as Smith storms to victory

FINAL DAY WOES: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy looks dejected on the 18th during day four of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Photo: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Rory McIlroy fiddled on the Old Course he called “fiddly” while Cameron Smith burned the Northern Irishman’s Open hopes with a scorching home stretch.

The Australian with the short-game touch of Seve Ballesteros went on a back-nine heater that started with five consecutive birdies and ended with brilliant up-and-downs for par and birdie on 17 and 18. His 30 coming home capped off a bogey-free Sunday 64 to steal the 150th Open that seemed in McIlroy’s mitts.