By Marc Lawrence, PlaybookSports.com — When Rory McIlroy approached the 10th tee on the back nine at St. Andrews on Sunday he had a two-stroke lead.
He would go on to hit every fairway and finish without a bogey on the back nine – yet lose The Open by two strokes.
It’s what happened when Cameron Smith carded five straight birdies on the back nine and then cemented it with another on 18.
McIlroy has now finished in the Top 10 in 17 majors since 2015 – more than anyone else – and hasn’t won any.
No, McIlroy didn’t lose this tournament. Smith absolutely won it.