Cameron Smith wins LIV title in perfect British Open warm-up
St Albans | Cameron Smith has enjoyed the perfect tune-up to defend his British Open title, ending a win drought with another money-spinning victory at the latest LIV Golf event at the Centurion Club.
The Australian superstar, in his final event before defending the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in less than two weeks time, made a mess of the final hole on Sunday (Monday AEST) at the venue north of London, but still pocketed the winner’s cheque of $US4 million ($6 million).
Cameron Smith during the final round on Sunday. Reuters
Smith’s final round, a three-under-par 68, took him to 15 under par, one shot clear of his great Australian mate, Marc Leishman, who fired a 66, and American Patrick Reed (65).
For Smith, it was the first triumph in any tournament since the Australian PGA last November at Royal Queensland.
“It really hasn’t been that long, but it feels like forever,” said the 29-year-old, of his eight-month win drought.
“And especially the way I’ve been playing the last couple of months. I’ve been knocking on the door of winning, and it’s nice to get one out of the way, and hopefully, it opens the floodgates a little bit.”
Smith, three shots ahead overnight in the second edition of the event that launched LIV Golf last year when he was still on the PGA tour, came out of the blocks quickly, making two birdies at the second and third, before bogeying the fifth.
But the Queenslander responded with more birdies on the eighth, 10th, 13th and par-three 17th, with a couple of bogeys in his roller-coaster round, at the 12th and the 529-yard, par-5 last, ensuring it wasn’t a straightforward afternoon.
Cameron Smith lifts the trophy after his win at the Centurion Club. PA
Smith will be seeking to become the first man to
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