The 152nd Open Championship produced four days of brutal action at Scotland’s historic Royal Troon.
Xander Schauffele eventually cruised to a two-shot victory, taking advantage of calmer Sunday conditions to card a stunning 65.
Some high-profile names also failed to make the cut. After failing to make the weekend, Rory McIlroy admitted he was struggling to adjust to the windy conditions.
It was a similar story for Bryson DeChambeau. Despite claiming he was looking to adjust his ball flight, the big-hitting American failed to come to terms with the links test.
DeChambeau and McIlroy, of course, took the headlines, but there were three other high-profile names whose failure perhaps went under the radar.
Cameron Smith
Aussie Cameron Smith took the title in 2022. However, the LIV Golf star failed to compete in conditions very different from those witnessed at St Andrews two years ago.
The damage was done in the first round for Smith, carding a nine-over-par 80. In need of a fast start on Friday, the 30-year-old made three bogeys on his front nine to all but ensure his week would end early.
After impressing on LIV this season and a good track record in links golf, Smith’s failure has certainly gone under the radar.
Wyndham Clark
2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark has endured a horror 2024 thus far and has been heavily criticised for his form.
The American is set to compete in the Olympics next week. However, many USA fans believe he shouldn’t be on the four-man team.
After carding a first-round 78 and second-round 80, Clark’s major championship form hasn’t shown any sign of turning around.
Remarkably, the 30-year-old has only made five major cuts during the entirety of his career.
Sahith Theegala
Sahith Theegala is currently seventh in the FedEx Cup rankings and is well-positioned, heading into the latter stages of the PGA Tour season.
However, the world number 11 finished on 14 over par after his two rounds at The Open.
Considering he’s made the cut in all of 2024’s majors, the 26-year-old falling short in Troon does come as a shock.
Having missed the cut at Royal Liverpool last year, the American is still searching to find his form in links conditions.
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