Rory McIlroy said he was simply beaten by the better player on Sunday as Cameron Smith shot a stunning 64 to prolong the Northern Irishman’s eight-year wait to add to his majors haul at the British Open.
Despite not dropping a shot, McIlroy was left to regret a series of birdie putts slipping by the hole as his 70 to reach 18-under-par was still two shots behind Smith’s record-equalling tally at a British Open.
“I got beaten by the better player this week. To shoot 64 to win an Open Championship at St Andrews is one hell of a showing, so hats off to Cam, he’s had an unbelievable week,” said McIlroy.
