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Thomson's son Andrew revealed on social media that he had
performed the ceremony on Sunday morning to fulfill a promise he
made to his parents when the Australian golfing great died at
the age of 88 in 2018.
Far from diminishing the timing of the ceremony, Thomson junior
suggested it was a "significant" coincidence that Smith went on
to wipe out a four-shot deficit over the final round and clinch
his first major title at the home of golf.
"I was sitting there stunned," Thomson told the Sydney Morning
Herald.
"I couldn't believe what had happened. Smith played perfect
golf, all credit to him. But what a coincidence that the ashes
of a former, five-time champion, also an Australian, had been
sprinkled there that morning?
"Smith's win was a very rare event, to see someone as competent
and confident as Rory McIlroy overtaken. McIlroy didn't
collapse, he was just surpassed."
Thomson senior won the Claret Jug five times between 1954 and
1965, his second triumph coming at the 84th championship at St
Andrews in 1955.
While the most of Thomson's ashes remain in Melbourne, his son
has also scattered small quantities on the greens at the venues
of his other Open triumphs - Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and
Royal Lytham & St Annes.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Christian Schmollinger)
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