The Aussie played the flawless round with all the grit, nonchalance and composure we’ve come to expect from the Players champion and Smith, who has a two-shot lead over Cameron Young at 13-under, is determined to build on that slack approach. which served him so well in the first two rounds of the weekend. “I feel like I’ve been at this point a lot the last couple of years and things haven’t gone well yet,” said Smith, who has yet to win a major championship but has four top-10 finishes in the last five Masters. “I have to be very patient this weekend. The golf course is going to get a lot harder and a lot faster. So just be patient and hit good shots.” There are a number of big names behind him with Rory McIlroy three shots back, Dustin Johnson a shot further back and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler one back. It promises to be an exciting second half of a tournament that will be remembered, in part, for the emotional scenes on the 18th yesterday. Tiger Woods wiped away tears amid emotional scenes as he was cheered throughout the 18th hole on Friday in what he says “feels like my last time” playing the Old Course in an Open Championship. “As I walked further along the road, I saw Rory [McIlroy] right there,” Woods said of the world No. 2 playing the first hole. “He tipped his hat to me. JT [Justin Thomas] he did the same. It was very nice. The nods I got from the kids as they went out and came in were pretty neat. “And then I got closer to the green and the applause got louder and you could feel the warmth. I felt like the whole tournament was right there. Everyone appreciated what I did here for the years I played. I felt it just came to a head right there as I walked towards my golf ball. “I had a few tears,” she added. “I’m not one to cry too often about anything, but when it comes to the game and the transition … I was lucky enough in 1995 to watch Arnold hit his first tee shot in the second round. [of his final Open]. And I could hear Jack playing his last one. I was probably about four holes behind him [10 years later] and he could hear the cheers growing louder and louder. “I felt it walking in. People knew I wasn’t going to make the cut. I’ve put my heart and soul into this event all these years. It’s very emotional for me. The standing ovation I got at 18 is something I’ll remember always. “I’ve been coming here since 1995 and I think the next one [St Andrews Open] it’s coming around 2030 and I don’t know if I’ll be physically able to play until then. I’m not retiring. I will be able to play future Opens. But eight years… I doubt I’ll be competitive at this level.” If you have a lump in your neck, then you are not alone. Stay tuned for all the action in what promises to be an exciting exciting day at the home of golf.
