Cameron Smith made history at the 150th Open Championship by becoming the first “champion golfer” to shoot two scores of 64 or better on his way to securing the Claret Jug.
Smith went ’round in 64 on Friday and Sunday to be one of three players, along with runner-up Cameron Young and Sam Burns, with the lowest scores of the week at St Andrews.
But how often in the recent history of the Open has the best round of the championship been recorded by a player who ultimately emerged victorious? We decided to find out.
Eight of the past 22 champion golfers have recorded either the joint-lowest or outright-lowest score of the week on their way to claiming the Claret Jug.
However, the feat has been much more common among recent winners, with four of the past six champions – including each of the last three – setting the benchmark for the week.
Henrik Stenson (2016), Collin Morikawa (2021) and Smith (2022) all equalled the lowest rounds of the championships they went on to win, and Shane Lowry stood alone in 2019 courtesy of his third-round 63 at Royal Portrush.
The other champions since 2000 to have at least matched the best rounds of the week en route to victory are Tiger Woods (2000, 2006), David Duval (2001) and Phil Mickelson (2013).
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The R&A