Viktor Hovland, not Cameron Smith, was supposed to be the guy, if there was one, to take down Rory McIlroy on Sunday at St. Andrews. The 24-year-old Norwegian, already a six-time winner worldwide, had grabbed a share of the 54-hole lead with McIlroy, four shots clear of the next closest challengers.
Things, however, didn’t go according to plan for Hovland believers.
Smith ended up firing 8-under 64 and capturing the claret jug. Hovland, on the other hand, shot 74, eight shots worse than his Saturday 66, and ended up tied for fourth and six shots back when play had finished at the 150th Open Championship.