Staggering Ash Barty detail emerges after Cameron Smith triumph

If anyone knows a thing or two about breaking an Australian sporting hero on the global stage, it's Ash Barty.

The retired tennis star broke a 41-year drought for Australia when she won the Wimbledon crown in 2021, becoming the first Aussie woman to triumph at the All England Club since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.

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So perhaps it was fitting that Barty was in Cameron Smith's corner as the golfer became the first Aussie to win The Open Championship in 29 years on Sunday.

Smith's 64 was the lowest final round at St Andrews' historic Old Course and featured five-straight birdies in a back-nine of 30.

His win ensured the famous Claret Jug was back in Australian hands for the first time since Greg Norman won at Royal St George's in 1993.

Barty, a proud Queenslander just like Smith, was on hand to watch her compatriot's major triumph, following him around St Andrews and watching on as he clinched victory.

She also posed for photos alongside Smith and fellow Aussie golf stars Adam Scott and Marc Leishman early in the tournament.

Fans and commentators couldn't get enough of the fact that Barty was right there cheering Smith on as he broke Australia's 29-year drought.

Some also pointed out how Smith's victory continued the recent run of dominance for Queensland after Barty's title triumphs at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and the Maroons' series win over NSW in State of Origin.

Cameron Smith rises to World No.2 after Open triumph

Smith became Australia's first men's major winner since Jason Day at the PGA Championship in 2015 at Whistling Straits.

His magical triumph came after the Queenslander started the final round four strokes behind Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Norway's Viktor Hovland.

In etching his name in the history books after winning golf's oldest and greatest championship, Smith also becomes the first player to complete The Players-British Open double since the legendary Jack Nicklaus in 1978.

He is Australia's fifth winner of the Open after Norman, who also reigned at Turnberry in 1986, Ian Baker Finch (1991), Kel Nagle (1960) and five-times champion Peter Thomson (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1965).

Smith has now leapt five spots to No.2 in the Official World Golf Ranking - a career best.

Smith has unseated McIlroy from the No.2 spot after winning his first major title, with the Northern Irisman dropping to third in the new week's rankings.

Scottie Scheffler was in no danger of losing his hold on No.1 after rocketing his way up the board this spring with four victories, including at the Masters.

He remained No.1 after tying for 21st at The Open.

Patrick Cantlay remained No.4, while Spain's Jon Rahm slipped two spots to fifth and Xander Schauffele dropped back one spot to sixth.

Smith's previous career high was No.3, which he reached earlier this year after tying for 13th at the PGA Championship.

He vaulted into the top 10 for the first time in March when he won The Players Championship, which awards 80 rankings points to its winner - the most of any event outside the four majors.

The Aussie is the fourth different player at No.2 since Scheffler rose to No.1 in late March.

Rahm, Collin Morikawa and McIlroy have also spent time in the second spot.

with AAP

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