Cam Smith Takes Home $4 Million at LIV Golf London
Cam Smith, the reigning champion of the Claret Jug, had a triumphant day at LIV London on Sunday, setting the stage for his upcoming defense at Royal Liverpool. Despite a mishap on the final hole, Smith emerged victorious, pocketing an impressive $4 million as a result. The Australian golfer’s win serves as the ideal tune-up before his highly anticipated title defense at the prestigious Open Championship, which commences on July 20.
Last year, Smith clinched his first major victory at St Andrew’s, but shortly after, he switched allegiances to LIV Golf. The move prompted a clash between the PGA Tour loyalists and the rebels of LIV Golf during the British Open. However, due to a surprise U-turn by Jay Monahan, the championship at Royal Liverpool will now welcome Smith and his fellow defectors under a truce.
Amidst this backdrop, Smith’s win at LIV London bolsters his confidence as he heads to the northwestern region of England for the upcoming tournament. His final round, a remarkable three-under par 68, resulted in an overall score of 15 under par, securing him a one-shot lead over his fellow Australian competitor, Marc Leishman, who shot a superb 66. American golfer Patrick Reed also showcased his skill, finishing tied with Leishman.
For Smith, this victory signifies his first win since the Australian PGA held at Royal Queensland in November. The 29-year-old golfer expressed his relief at ending an eight-month-long win drought, stating, “It really hasn’t been that long, but it feels like forever.” Smith has been consistently performing well in recent months and believes that this win will pave the way for more successes in the future.
Looking ahead, Smith aims to become the first golfer in 15 years to secure back-to-back Claret Jugs, following in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington’s remarkable achievement at Hoylake. As he prepares for the Open, Smith plans to take a break and relax in London, refraining from any golf activities for the next week.
While Smith celebrated his individual triumph, his team, consisting of fellow Australians Leishman, Jed Morgan, and Matt Jones, narrowly missed out on victory in the team event. They finished as runners-up, only one shot behind the winning team, 4Aces GC, which comprised American golfers Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Dustin Johnson, and Peter Uihlein.
Although Smith was disappointed by the missed par putt on the final hole, he expressed mixed emotions about his performance. He acknowledged the satisfaction of securing the individual win while regretting not reaching the top with his teammates. Nevertheless, the Australian quartet still earned $375,000 each in the team event, further adding to Smith’s overall winnings of $4,375,000.
As the golfing world eagerly anticipates the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Cam Smith’s victory at LIV London serves as a testament to his skill and determination. Will he successfully defend his Claret Jug and etch his name in the history books? Only time will tell, but the reigning champion is undoubtedly prepared to give it his all.
Cam Smith Aims for Historic Back-to-Back Claret Jugs at Royal Liverpool ⛳️🏆
Cam Smith, the current holder of the Claret Jug, emerged triumphant at LIV Golf London on Sunday, securing an impressive $4 million victory. With his title defense at Royal Liverpool merely weeks away, Smith’s win serves as the perfect warmup for the upcoming Open Championship. The Australian golfer will look to etch his name in history by becoming the first player in 15 years to claim consecutive Claret Jugs. As the golfing world eagerly awaits the tournament, all eyes will be on Smith as he strives to defend his crown and solidify his place among golf’s elite.
