LIV Golf Jeddah’s Cameron Smith is ready to become the 2023 breakaway champion, but still has everything to play for to qualify for Sunday’s finals.
Open champion Cameron Smith was seen venting his anger on a bunker at LIV Golf Jeddah, as the Australian holds the Saudi Arabia-backed tournament’s £15m prize pool. He was released on Saturday.
Smith entered the final week of the LIV season at the top of the leaderboard, but opened the door to Talor Gooch and Bryson DeChambeau after the first 36 holes in the Saudi capital. After a par 70 in the first round, the former world number 2 is certainly looking to get started on Saturday.
However, Smith could only shoot a two-under 68, while DeChambeau and Gooch went further, with the chasing duo at 8-under (tie for fourth) and six-under (tie for ninth), respectively. . Of course, there’s a lot to play for at the Royal Greens, with a £15m bonus on offer for the 2023 champions. And the pressure of what’s at stake has clearly gotten to Smith, who usually calm and collective, as he was on the fourth floor. .
After finding the bunker with his tee shot, Smith’s next shot left him cranky as he found himself moving from one sandbox to the next. Captain Ripper GC was seen venting his anger into the bunker as he slammed his club into the sand twice before returning to his bag.
The Australian also appeared frustrated for good reason, making a bogey on his only par 5 in the front nine holes while those around him were making birdies. One of those who made the former Open champion’s afternoon even more difficult was DeChambeau, who shot a stunning 7-under 63 on Saturday to move three shots ahead of event leader Brooks Koepka.
All sorts of maths will take place in tomorrow’s round to determine who wins the £15 million prize. Still, DeChambeau remains firmly focused on the 18 holes that await him and on the only event title on offer in Jeddah.
I don’t know what the score is necessarily,” DeChambeau admitted after Saturday’s second round. “I have to focus my mind on winning the golf tournament tomorrow. I’m four behind and I need to catch Brooks.”