Jordan Smith has reflected on the experience of playing alongside Rory McIlroy in the final round of The Open Championship, with much of his focus falling on the atmosphere created by the crowd at Royal Birkdale. According to the account, Smith was full of praise for the galleries that followed Sunday’s action.
Being paired with McIlroy on the last day of a major brought obvious attention, and Smith’s comments suggest the occasion felt especially memorable because of the support around the course. McIlroy remains one of golf’s biggest attractions, and that naturally made the final-round pairing a high-profile one.
McIlroy’s hopes of lifting a second Claret Jug had already taken a major blow after a frustrating third-round 69. That left him with too much to do heading into Sunday, reducing the chances of a serious title charge despite the strong interest surrounding his round.
Even so, Smith’s remarks underline how special a final day at The Open can feel when playing with a major champion in front of packed crowds. At Royal Birkdale, the combination of championship pressure and McIlroy’s presence appears to have made it a standout experience.
