Another major near-miss for McIlroy at The Open | 'Rory didn't seize initiative'

Rory McIlroy's hopes of a fairy-tale end to his major drought failed to materialise at The 150th Open, but could he have done anything differently to stop Cameron Smith's historic success?

In the week where Jack Nicklaus was honoured for his St Andrews legacy and Tiger Woods potentially made his final competitive appearance on the Old Course, it would have been somewhat fitting for Rory McIlroy to claim a fairy-tale victory at the Home of Golf.

The Northern Irishman posted top-eight finishes in the first three majors of the year and arrived as one of the pre-tournament favourites, having closed on world No 1 Scottie Scheffler with victory at the RBC Canadian Open the previous month, while a strong start further fuelled the narrative that the Claret Jug was heading his way.

A five-under 67 on Thursday cemented an end to McIlroy's first-round major hoodoo, this third consecutive sub-70 opening round after years of slow starts, while scores of 68 and 66 over the following two days ensured a share of the lead with Viktor Hovland heading into the final day.

McIlroy had turned each of his previous four 54-hole major leads into a victory and looked in prime position to extend that run, with the former world No 1's name sitting top of the giant yellow leaderboards at St Andrews when he reached the turn ahead of the chasing pack.

The 33-year-old took a step closer to his second Open title by taking advantage of the par-four 10h but then saw the birdies dry up over the rest of his round, as Smith charged through the field with a brilliant back-nine 30 to snatch a one-shot victory and maiden major title.

McIlroy did have one last chance to give the final men's major of the year a dramatic finish at the par-four last, although was