RORY McILROY’s wife Erica Stoll watched on nervously as her husband was heartbreakingly denied victory on the final day of the 150th Open Championship.
Despite a bogey-free round and an overall score of 18 under par, the Northern Irishman lost out to red-hot Australian Cameron Smith.
Rory McIlroy’s wait for a major goes on after losing out to Cameron Smith
Smith levelled the record score at the ancient course after a sensational Sunday 64 saw him come from behind to finish 20 under par, winning the by one shot from American Cameron Young.
The victory brings him major glory for the first time, although an impressive performance at the Masters left him heavily tipped for success.
And it means McIlroy’s majorless run will extend to a ninth year, despite a vast improvement in consistency with top ten finishes in all four showpiece events this season.
The five-time major champion was the joint overnight leader with Viktor Hovland, and played a steady round as he began to get away from his playing partner.
However Smith, just one group in front, went on a sensational run of five birdies in a row to start the back nine, ending the final round with a score of 64.
The emphatic run had McIlroy fans nervous, with none more so than wife Erica.
The pair have been married since 2017, where they tied the knot in a high-profile wedding in Ireland.
Her time supporting the Northern Irishman has not been his most successful, as he searches for his first major since 2014.
The pair met on the PGA tour, with McIlroy splitting from tennis girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki just before they were due to be married.
McIlroy will now prepare for the new season of majors, with him still looking to complete a highly-sought after grand slam.
Victory at Augusta will secure this, with him only lacking the Masters from his career honours up to now.
