Reigning Open champion Cameron Smith left EMOTIONAL while handing back Claret Jug ahead of 151st British Open
Australian golfer Cameron Smith had to hand over the claret jug which he won last year. He was left more emotional than expected and is eager to defend his title and win the trophy back.
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Cameron Smith (Pic Credit: CNN)
As the world of golf prepares itself prepares for the final major of the year, the players are pretty excited. The 151st Open championship will be held this week at the Royal Liverpool. In this preparation, one player was left emotional as he gave back the trophy. Defending champion and LIV Golf star Cameron Smith had a hard time giving the Claret Jug back.
The Australian star claimed his first major victory as he won the Open last year. His final-round score of 64 was enough to see him finish ahead of Cameron Young to clinch the championship. On Monday he handed over the trophy back to the organizers. He later admitted he was more emotional then he expected to be.
“I thought I was going to do all right, but I was actually holding back from tears,” Smith said in his pre-conference before the tournament. This win off-course means a lot to him as he joined the LIV league after his triumph last year. This move took away the privilege he had of getting the trophy back. While he was not the biggest name to join the Saudi-funded tour, he was a major champion back then.
Cameron Smith eager to claim back the Open championship trophy
As often seen in the history of sports, winning a title is difficult. What is more difficult is to defend it. Cameron Smith will head into Thursday with his sight thoroughly set on defending his crown. The history is not on his side as the last successful defence of the event was recorded in 2008. Irishman Padrig Harrington was able to fend off Ian Poulter by three strokes to claim back-to-back Claret Jug.
Smith though is pretty confident about his title defense. His victory at the LIV Golf London also gives him a much-needed confidence boost and momentum. In his presser, he also mentioned how he told his friends that one week later, they will be celebrating another victory with him. Smith added how sometimes even after giving their best a player can finish fourth and fifth.
If Smith is to fulfill his words of his, he will have to face off against some of the greats again. On top of this, he will have to look out for Rory McIlroy, who will enter the event after winning the Scottish Open on Sunday. The North Irishman himself is hyped up and wants to end a nine-year drought of the Open championship. It would be exciting to witness who comes out on top in the final major of the year.
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Vinay Dave
(1771 Articles Published)