CAMERON SMITH

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is describing a landscape of two rival leagues going down different paths.

Jon Rahm shares the lead at the Sentry Tournament of Champions with a 64.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers executive hired to be the chief operating officer of LIV Golf has resigned after one year as the Saudi-backed rival circuit moves toward a league format, The New York Times reported. Atul Khosla was expected to lead LIV Golf into its franchise model of 12 four-man teams in which players and the LIV Golf League would have equity. LIV commissioner Greg Norman confirmed the news Friday in a statement to The Times.

Tiger Woods is returning to competition next month in the Bahamas.

Johnson (70), Reed (70), Talor Gooch (71) and Pat Perez (70) shot a combined 7 under 281 on the par-72 Sunday — and split $16 million. Johnson was on the par-4 18th green in two when Reed finished, while Smith — the other player in Johnson's twosome — was needing a miracle that didn't arrive. Including his $18 million for winning the season-long individual title, Johnson finished with $35,637,767 in earnings. For now, LIV players don’t get points toward their Official World Golf Ranking. Perez made just over $8 million in seven LIV events, which is more than he had in his last five years on the PGA Tour combined.

Dustin Johnson has finished his LIV Golf season with nearly $36 million in earnings and the team title.

Phil Mickelson is back in Saudi Arabia for the first time since his disparaging remarks about the Saudis were published.

BANGKOK, Thailand — (AP) — Richard Bland, Branden Grace and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra upstaged their more-illustrious opponents on Friday to shoot 7-under 65s and share the lead after the first round of the LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok. British Open champion Cameron Smith, who won the last LIV event in Chicago in mid-September, shot 72. It's the first time LIV Golf is being played outside the United States since its inaugural event in early June near London. Before the start of play, players learned that they still won't accrue ranking points on the LIV series. “We certainly believe that there’s enough that are in the top 50, and we deserve to be getting world ranking points.

Richard Bland, Branden Grace and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra upstaged their more-illustrious opponents to shoot 7-under 65s and take the lead after the first round of the LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok.

Tiger Woods has another loaded field for his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Woods on Tuesday announced 17 players for the 20-man field, and all but four are from the top 21 in the world ranking. The Korn Ferry Tour previously awarded 25 PGA Tour cards from the regular season and 25 cards from the postseason of fields that were a mix of Korn Ferry and PGA Tour players. As for the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, two Louisiana tournaments and one in Maine are no longer on the schedule. 4) is in Las Vegas on the PGA Tour and Jon Rahm (No.

Tiger Woods has another loaded field for the Bahamas and his Hero World Challenge.

Saudi-funded LIV Golf is denying a report that it was close to a U.S. television deal in which it would buy time to be shown on FS1.

The Presidents Cup stays with the Americans, just like it always does.

The matches were close at the end.

The Americans have the stronger team and they looked the part at the Presidents Cup.

The Presidents Cup is set to tee off Thursday afternoon at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, but the field looks a bit different.

Fifty LIV Golf players sent a letter to the chairman of the Official World Golf Ranking to request to be included in its rankings, dating to when the circuit first applied July 6.

The Americans are big favorites in the Presidents Cup.

LIV Golf is turning up the heat on the Official World Golf Ranking.

The Presidents Cup has been one of the least-competitive events in sports and things aren't looking any better after high-profile LIV Golf departures.

Bryson DeChambeau got caught up in a gallery rope in the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Chicago on Sunday and appeared to be briefly hurt.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — The last Presidents Cup was so close the International team walked away with renewed hope that it had enough game and enough fight to conquer the mighty Americans. Sure, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the Presidents Cup back a year. Louis Oosthuizen, so good in the Presidents Cup he had a winning record while never playing on a winning team, was among the first to go back in June. Immelman brings eight Presidents Cup rookies to Quail Hollow. Players who signed up for Saudi riches at LIV Golf knew they faced PGA Tour suspension, which meant not competing in the Presidents Cup.

So much has changed since the International team nearly won the Presidents Cup the last time.

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — (AP) — British Open champion Cameron Smith made his decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf pay off Sunday when he closed with a 3-under 69 for a three-shot victory in the LIV Golf Invitational-Chicago. With the runner-up finish as an individual and team, Uihlein picked up nearly $2.2 million on Sunday. Johnson is the only player from the 48-man field to have finished in the top 10 at every LIV Golf event. 2 in the world when the 29-year-old Australian signed up with LIV Golf after the PGA Tour season ended, the highest-ranked player to join. The next LIV Golf event is in three weeks in Bangkok.

British Open champion Cameron Smith has his first LIV Golf trophy.

Laurie Canter (68) and Charl Schwartzel (69), who won the first LIV Golf Invitational outside London, were four shots behind. Mickelson spoke Friday about the need for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to work together. Mickelson is among seven players — along with LIV Golf — who has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour. LIV Golf is here to stay, and this type of divisive talk is doing nobody good,” Mickelson said. The inclusion of LIV Golf in the ecosystem of the golf world is necessary,” said Mickelson, a chief recruiter in the early stages for LIV Golf.

Cameron Smith made a pair of 7-foot birdie putts to finish off his round of 4-under 68 and allow him to overtake Dustin Johnson going into the third and final day of the LIV Golf Invitational-Chicago. As easy as Johnson made it look in the opening round, Saturday at Rich Harvest Farms was such a struggle that he shot over par for the first time in the 14 rounds he has played in the Saudi-funded series. Johnson was lucky the deficit to Smith was only two shots.

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — (AP) — Dustin Johnson already is approaching $10 million in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series and he's playing like that number is going to keep soaring. Phil Mickelson had five birdies and might have been a little closer to Johnson except for his one mistake, and it was a big one. He took triple bogey on the par-3 fifth hole, his sixth of the day in the shotgun start. Johnson closed out the front nine with four straight birdies, three of the from 8 feet or closer. Even with a week off — and playing for only the sixth time in four months — Johnson kept the groove in his swing.

Dustin Johnson is on a roll in the Saudi-backed LIV series.

Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman were given more than just a nice paycheck to leave the PGA Tour for LIV. The Australian golfers received a 25 percent stake in the Punch GC franchise, LIV CEO Greg Norman told The Sydney Morning Herald this week. Smith, the 2022 Open Championship winner, is the first top-10 player to join the Saudi-backed golf series. "You've got to think about it from Cam's perspective, he completely understood one thing that other people are struggling to understand: the value LIV Golf brings, and that new value is the franchise," Norman said. Players who leave for LIV are banned from PGA Tour events and their ability to play in the majors remains a huge question mark.

Jimmy Walker was so frustrated by ordinary golf and lingering health issues that he quietly walked away from the PGA Tour in April.

Billy Horschel finally gets to play golf for the Stars and Stripes as a pro.

Trevor Immelman used five of his six captain's picks Tuesday on Presidents Cup rookies to fill out an International team decimated by defections to Saudi-funded LIV Golf. The only captain's pick with any experience is Si Woo Kim of South Korea. He played on the 2017 team at Liberty National that was beat so badly the match was nearly decided before singles. Lee of South Korea — only one other was available, Ryan Fox of New Zealand, who plays on the European tour and was overlooked by Immelman. Scott, Matsuyama and Im are the only players who were at Royal Melbourne three years ago when the International team nearly ended more than 20 years of losing.

Trevor Immelman is using five of his six captain’s picks on Presidents Cup rookies.

— (AP) — Dustin Johnson gave LIV Golf its first big moment Sunday when he made a 35-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston for his first victory in 19 months. It owed me one and I got it.”The first playoff in four LIV Golf events capped an otherwise sloppy finish by so many others who had a chance. 1 longer than anyone since Tiger Woods slipped out of the top 15 in the world when he signed with LIV Golf. They were among six players who signed with LIV Golf after the PGA Tour season end. The next LIV Golf Invitational series is in two weeks in the Chicago suburbs at Rich Harvest Farms, best known for hosting the Solheim Cup in 2009.

Dustin Johnson is finally a winner again for the first time in 19 months.

Talor Gooch has a one-shot lead over Joaquin Niemann in the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston event.

— (AP) — Matthew Wolff became a footnote in LIV Golf history with the first hole-in-one, an ace that carried him to a 7-under 63 and a one-shot lead over a pair of newcomers Friday in the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston. One of those newcomers was British Open champion Cameron Smith, among six players who recently joined the Saudi-funded league. Smith and Niemann highlighted the batch of newcomers that included Anirban Lahiri (66), Harold Varner III (67), Marc Leishman (70) and Cameron Tringale (71). I think this is the future of golf,” Smith said earlier in the week. The ball took one-hop and disappeared into the cup for the first ace in the fourth LIV Golf Invitational series.

Matthew Wolff is now a footnote in LIV Golf history.

Matthew Wolff became a footnote in LIV Golf history with the first hole-in-one, an ace that carried him to a 7-under 63 and a one-shot lead over a pair of newcomers Friday in the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston. One of those newcomers was British Open champion Cameron Smith, among six players who recently joined the Saudi-funded league. Smith broke a wedge with a shot from behind a tree that allowed him to save par, and he finished with a 45-foot eagle putt for a 64.

It sure doesn't sound like Wentworth will be a place for PGA Tour players and LIV Golf players to visit over tea.

LIV Golf does not get ranking points, though it filed an application last month. The PGA Tour is suspending members as soon as they put a ball in play at LIV Golf events. Because the PGA Tour exclusively operates the Presidents Cup — unlike the Ryder Cup, which Europe operates on home soil — players who join LIV Golf are not eligible. Paul Casey was two shots behind, and now all three players have joined LIV Golf. Along with big signing bonuses — The Daily Telegraph reported $150 million for Smith — players complete for $25 million in prize money at each of the LIV Golf Invitational events.

LIV Golf has made it official.

Rory McIlroy jokingly referred to himself as a “Super Bowl champ” by winning the FedEx Cup.

And then the horn sounded Saturday signaling a stop in play because of storms near the Tour Championship. That's what Jon Rahm said he needed — another low round, and Scheffler to not have is best stuff. Those who didn't finish had to return at 9:45 a.m., and only then would the FedEx Cup finale have any clarity. Hideki Matsuyama posted the low round of the day at 63, and he was still six shots behind. 1 seed in the FedEx Cup, with Cantlay two shots behind.

Scottie Scheffler has a one-shot lead over Xander Schauffele in the Tour Championship.

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy can each claim a roller coaster day in the Tour Championship.

ATLANTA — (AP) — Justin Lower lost his PGA Tour card in brutal fashion in the final tournament of the regular season. 137 in the official standings, but he is 10 spots higher because of the LIV players ahead of him who are suspended. Starting in January, the field will include all PGA Tour winners from the previous calendar year along with the 30 players who qualify for the Tour Championship. “By bringing the PGA Tour Champions and APGA Tour in closer alignment, we hope that other PGA TOUR properties will do likewise as we help make the game more diverse and inclusive.”O’Neal, who twice missed earning a PGA Tour card in Q-school by one shot, has played eight times on the PGA Tour and has 156 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. Along with Accenture and Coca-Cola, the PGA Tour plans to be at East Lake for the foreseeable future.

Justin Lower lost his PGA Tour card in brutal fashion when he three-putted from 60 feet on the final hole of the regular season.

Justin Lower lost his PGA Tour card in brutal fashion in the final tournament of the regular season. Needing a par on the final hole to finish among the top 125, Lower ran his 60-footer some 6 feet by and missed for a three-putt bogey. Thanks to Saudi-funded LIV Golf, Lower is among players who might get a reprieve.

Alabama stars Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. are among four players from the top-ranked Crimson Tide selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team.

Tiger Woods felt strongly enough about a private meeting of top PGA Tour players that he flew from Florida to Delaware to attend.

Getting to the Tour Championship isn’t all that’s at stake in the second FedEx Cup playoff event.

St Jude Championship Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, watches his shot on the sixth tee during the final round of the St. Jude Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey)WILMINGTON, Del. — (AP) — British Open champion Cameron Smith pulled out of the BMW Championship on Monday with what his manager described as a “hip discomfort” that Smith had been feeling the last few months. First, The Daily Telegraph reported Smith was joining Saudi-funded LIV Golf after the FedEx Cup playoffs, which Smith again chose not to discuss. It seems to happen when there’s softer fairways like there were earlier in the week,” Smith told Golf Digest. 3 seed starts at 7-under par, the No.

Cameron Smith is out of the BMW Championship with soreness in his hip, The agent for the British Open champion describes it as a lingering issue.

Will Zalatoris is finally a winner on the PGA Tour.

Cameron Smith's two-stroke penalty, assessed Sunday for an improper ball placement at PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs, elicited a widespread reaction

St Jude Championship Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, walks off the sixth tee during the third round of the St. Jude Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey (Mark Humphrey)MEMPHIS, Tenn. — (AP) — British Open champion Cameron Smith and his chase for No. 1 in the world got a little tougher even before he teed off Sunday in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The PGA Tour penalized Smith two shots upon learning he took a drop in the wrong place after hitting into the water on the par-3 fourth hole in the third round Saturday. With the penalty, his score was adjusted to a 69 and he started the final round four shots behind. ___More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

British Open champion Cameron Smith and his chase for No. 1 in the world got a little tougher even before he teed off in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

British Open champion Cameron Smith and his chase for No. 1 in the world got a little tougher even before he teed off Sunday in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The PGA Tour penalized Smith two shots upon learning he took a drop in the wrong place after hitting into the water on the par-3 fourth hole in the third round Saturday. Smith signed for a 67 and was two shots behind.

Both are first-time winners on the PGA Tour this year, and a victory in a FedEx Cup playoffs even carries even more weight — $2.7 million to the winner and a guaranteed spot at East Lake for the FedEx Cup finale. 1 player in the world and in the FedEx Cup since March, missed the cut. Smith has steadfastly refused to talk about it, only to say he's only thinking of the FedEx Cup. That was shortly before a California federal judge denied a request by three LIV golfers to play in the FedEx Cup playoffs. That’s what I’m here to do is to hit good golf shots and make birdies."

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British Open champion Cameron Smith has signed a $100 million deal to join LIV Golf, The Telegraph reports. After winning his first major title, Smith faced questioning about rumors that he was in negotiations with LIV Golf. The PGA Tour, meanwhile, has suspended players who sign with LIV Golf from competing. Eleven LIV Golf players including Mickelson and DeChambeau filed a federal antitrust suit against the PGA Tour challenging those suspensions. Opening arguments in the lawsuit were being heard in a U.S. district court as news of Smith's deal with LIV Golf broke.

Geoff Ogilvy is a U.S. Open champion and three-time winner of the World Golf Championships.

This is turning out to be a strong group of rookies on the PGA Tour, including three players with one thing in common down the home stretch: None has won yet.

APTOPIX British Open Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, kisses the claret jug trophy as he poses for photographers on the 18th green after winning the British Open golf Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — Cameron Smith made eight birdies on the final day of the British Open. Even with the claret jug on the table next to him, it all felt so surreal to the 28-year-old Smith. “I think you have to be two completely different golfers to contend at both of those golf courses,” Smith said. After a performance like that on the Old Course — all year, really — no one could dispute that.

Cameron Smith is a tough-as-nails Aussie.

APTOPIX British Open Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, kisses the claret jug on the 18th green after winning the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (Alastair Grant)BRISBANE, Australia — (AP) — Yes, Cameron Smith’s dad was kicking himself he didn’t make the journey to St. Andrews to see his son win the 150th British Open. So Cameron Smith, who wondered how many beers might fit into the silver claret jug handed to the British Open champion, won't be the only one raising a toast. McKay helped get the club’s Cameron Smith Junior Classic started in 2017 as a qualifying tournament for the Greg Norman Junior Masters event. Cam Smith, Champion Golfer of the Year.

Cameron Smith’s dad is kicking himself that he didn’t make the journey to St. Andrews to see his son win the 150th British Open.

Henrik Stenson, a five-time Ryder Cup player, has been heavily linked with the LIV Golf Invitational Series since its launch earlier this year.

The 150th Open - Day Four ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during Day Four of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)The Rusacks Hotel in St. Andrews stands right alongside the 18th fairway, with a gorgeous view of one of the most famous finishing holes in golf. Playing controlled golf, McIlroy said, worked “until I needed to respond to what Cam was doing out there. As he marched back toward St. Andrews, McIlroy could hear the cheers ahead of him, could see Smith carving his way deeper and deeper into red numbers. You've got to let yourself think about it and what it would be like.”Maybe someday he’ll find out again.

British Open Golf Viktor Hovland, of Norway, plays from the 2nd tee during the final round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The birdies that flowed so freely for Viktor Hovland over the first three days of the British Open dried up in the final round. Ordinarily, a fourth-place finish at the British Open comes with an invitation to the following year's Masters. LOW AMATEURFilippo Celli's week at the British Open started out better than he had hoped by meeting Rory McIlroy during a practice round on the Old Course. So it’s amazing, unbelievable.”McIlroy, who won the British Open in 2014 at Royal Liverpool, has something in common with Celli — the silver medal.

The birdies that flowed so freely for Viktor Hovland over the first three days of the British Open finally dried up.

Rory McIlroy's wait for his fifth major goes on.

British Open Golf Cameron Young of the US misses a putt on the 15th green during the final round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday July 17, 2022. Young finished in second place on the Old Course in the 150th British Open after driving the green and sinking a 17-foot eagle putt on the par-4 18th. Playing partner Cameron Smith was also at 19 under, but the Australian still had a 2-foot birdie putt to get to 20 under. Just one of those times.”Young was playing at his first British Open. The way Cameron Smith chips and putts, I didn’t really think he would make a 4,” Young said.

Cameron Young was very briefly tied for lead on the 18th hole on the final day of the British Open with only three other golfers still out on the course.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):___7:20 p.m.Expect Cameron Smith to celebrate his British Open victory with a drink or two. Smith is the first Australian to win the British Open on the Old Course since Kel Nagle in 1960. ___6:40 p.m.Cameron Smith has won the British Open for his first major title. Smith finished on 20-under 268, the lowest score at a British Open at St. Andrews. ___3:20 p.m.Filippo Celli has won the silver medal as the low amateur at the British Open.

British Open Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, after playing a birdie on the 13th hole during the final round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday July 17, 2022. His 8-under 64 was the lowest final round by a champion in the 30 times golf's oldest champion has been played at St. Andrews. Smith won by one shot over Cameron Young, who holed a 15-foot eagle putt on the final hole. Smith matched the major championship record to par, last reached by Dustin Johnson in the 2020 Masters held in November. Smith is the first Australian to win at St. Andrews since Kel Nagle in 1960, when he topped a rising American star named Arnold Palmer, the people's choice.

Cameron Smith charged his way into history on the Old Course, a Sunday stunner at St. Andrews that gave the Australian his first major win.

The Australian shot 8-under 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit in the final round. It's his first major title.

Cameron Smith is the British Open champion not many saw coming.

British Open: Cameron Smith hits his second shot at No. 2 during the final round of the British Open. (David Cannon/Getty Images )ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — It was a day for Camerons at the British Open on Sunday. >> Read more trending newsCameron Smith took charge on the back nine of the Old Course, firing an 8-under-par 64 to win the 150th Open at St. Andrews’ famed Old Course. Since his last major win in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, McIlroy has finished in the top-five eight times in golf’s Grand Slam events, ESPN reported.

The 150th Open Championship Golf - The 150th Open Championship - Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Britain - July 17, 2022 Australia's Cameron Smith in action on the 15th during the final round REUTERS/Paul Childs - UP1EI7H1BO7GBThe 2022 British Open was Rory McIlroy's for the taking, and Cameron Smith swooped in and took it. It was a bitter end to McIlroy's longtime attempt to win a fifth major, in the face of one of the most brilliant performances in major championship history. This year marks the 150th Open Championship, and any time the Open rotates around to St. Andrews, the air grows thick with legacy and tradition. This year’s Open Championship could be the final one where LIV players can rely on world golf rankings to qualify. Smith posted the lowest 36-hole score to par in the history of the Open Championship at -13.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):___5:54 p.m.Cameron Smith holds the outright lead at the British Open after moving ahead of Rory McIlroy with his fifth birdie in a row. ___5:30 p.m.Cameron Smith opened the back nine with four straight birdies to move into a tie for the lead with Rory McIlroy at the British Open. McIlroy, the 2014 British Open champion, has two birdies through 12 holes. ___4 p.m.Rory McIlroy has opened a two-shot lead on the front nine of the British Open. ___2:52 p.m.Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland have teed off on the final day of the British Open at St. Andrews.

Expect Cameron Smith to celebrate his British Open victory with a drink or two.

British Open Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, plays out of a bunker on the 13th hole during the third round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Saturday July 16, 2022. The Australian had seen his overnight lead disappear in a frustrating third round at the British Open and here he was on 13th hole of the Old Course with a big decision to make. 18 like so many holes did for the man with perhaps the most famous haircut in golf — Smith leaning over in anguish after missing a birdie putt. He began Saturday with a two-shot lead, the lowest 36-hole total in a British Open at St. Andrews, and in a strong position for a run at a first major title. Take Cameron Young, the 25-year-old American playing in his first British Open and in the final pairing of the third round.

Cameron Smith started the third round of the British Open with a two-shot lead and finished it four strokes back.

Cameron Smith stepped into a fairway bunker about 3 feet below his ball, which was perched precariously on the lip of the trap. The Australian had seen his overnight lead disappear in a frustrating third round at the British Open and here he was on 13th hole of the Old Course with a big decision to make. Reaching up and out of the bunker with his iron, Smith skimmed a low, ugly shot about 100 yards into a heather bush and swung his club in anger.

British Open Golf Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 11th hole during the third round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Saturday July 16, 2022. Still to come is one more round on a stage he shares with Norwegian star Viktor Hovland. McIlroy and Hovland, who were at 16-under 200, had no such trouble Saturday. Hovland holed a pair of 40-foot putts on his way to four straight birdies on the front nine to seize the lead. “But at the same time, I need o keep in my own little world and try to play a good round of golf.

Rory McIlroy is one round away from ending eight years without a major.

British Open Golf Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 4th fairway during the third round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Saturday July 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):___6:15 p.m.Rory McIlroy holed a bunker shot from 30 yards for eagle at No. 6 for a fourth straight birdie and a two-shot lead on 14 under at the British Open. ___4:40 p.m.Viktor Hovland made back-to-back 40-foot putts for birdies to tie the lead at the British Open. The Irishman is the first player to have back-to-back eagles at the British Open since Phil Mickelson at Royal Lytham in 2001.

British Open Golf Viktor Hovland, of Norway, plays from the 1st tee during the third round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Saturday July 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):5:15 p.m.Viktor Hovland is riding a hot putter. 6 for a fourth straight birdie and a two-shot lead on 14 under at the British Open. ___4:40 p.m.Viktor Hovland made back-to-back 40-foot putts for birdies to tie the lead at the British Open. The Irishman is the first player to have back-to-back eagles at the British Open since Phil Mickelson at Royal Lytham in 2001.

British Open Golf Cameron Smith, of Australia, acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 17th hole during the second round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Friday July 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (Alastair Grant)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):___4:10 p.m.Cameron Smith started his third round at the British Open with his two-stroke overnight lead intact. Cameron Young, playing with Smith in the final group, made par and is still in second place on 11 under. The Irishman is the first player to have back-to-back eagles at the British Open since Phil Mickelson at Royal Lytham in 2001. The Old Course is vulnerable without much wind at the British Open.

British Open Golf Ireland's Shane Lowry plays a shot on the 4th fairway of during the first round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Thursday, July 14 2022. The Irishman is the first player to have back-to-back eagles at the British Open since Phil Mickelson at Royal Lytham in 2001. ___2:35 p.m.As an academy professional and senior instructor at St. Andrews, Scott Herald has played at the home of golf countless times. It's shaping up to be a day of low scoring at a sunny St. Andrews. The Old Course is vulnerable without much wind at the British Open.

British Open Golf Kevin Kisner of the US plays from the 18th tee during the third round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Saturday July 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — (AP) — The Latest on the British Open (all times local):___1:20 p.m. It's shaping up to be a day of low scoring at a sunny St. Andrews. The Old Course is vulnerable without much wind at the British Open. ___More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The 150th Open Championship - Day one ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - JULY 14: A view of the Claret Jug on the 1st tee during Day One of The 150th Open Championship at The Old Course, on July 14, 2022, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)After two rounds, here's what we know about this year's British Open at St. Andrews: the Old Course isn't showing the teeth it has in past years. Scores have been low, with leader Cameron Smith posting the lowest course relative to par in the Open's 150-year history. Rory McIlroy, still in search of his next major after a drought that now extends almost eight years, is right in the hunt, as is Viktor Hovland. Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we bring you all the action from the third day of the Open Championship.

Cameron Smith started the third round of the British Open with a two-shot lead and ended it four strokes behind.

Tiger Woods made an early and emotional departure from the British Open at St. Andrews, perhaps for the last time.

Defending British Open champion Collin Morikawa is set to miss the cut.

The Old Course at St. Andrews was fast as ever.