THE LANCS EFFECT

Cameron says he's fought off tears handing back the Claret Jug..but says: I'm ready for dream double..win it again here and Aussies lift Ashes just down the road

- ANDY DUNN

CAMERON SMITH had to fight back the tears when he handed back the Claret Jug yesterday - but told his mates: "It'll only be a week and we'll be drinking out of it again." 

Emotion got the better of Smith when he returned one of sport's most iconic trophies at the start of the 151st Open week at Royal Liverpool.

And as the countdown to Thursday's opening round continued (Patrick Reed, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, above), Smith said: "It's nice to be back. I just had to hand back the trophy there. I thought I was going to do all right but I was actually holding back from tears.

"A bit of a moment, I guess, that crept up on me."