Cam Smith is exhausted. LIV Golf’s inaugural Australian tournament has been a week-long Cam-fest.
“It was a big week to get through with lots of commitments and the fans,” Smith said after finishing fourth at the Grange in Adelaide’s west.
“It’s so cool to have those people behind you.
“But it’s also really draining as well, having the ovations on every green and tee.
“It was an epic week but a very tiring week.”
Smith was feted every step by sell-out crowds at a tournament which he says sets a fresh benchmark for LIV.
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American Talor Gooch endured some scares to win LIV Golf’s inaugural Australian tournament and a life-changing $5.97 million winner’s cheque.
The 31-year-old from Oklahoma slept on a 10-shot overnight cushion but won by just three after a bumpy final round at the Grange in Adelaide’s west on Sunday.
Gooch, after posting consecutive 62s, shot a one-over 73 in the final round to finish 19 under, with Indian Anirban Lahiri (16 under) next-best.
American trio Pat Perez, Patrick Reed and Cameron Tringale, and South Africa’s Charl Schwarzel, were a further shot back at 15 under.
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In addition to South Australia’s further four years, the stunning success could help Australia land another LIV tournament in 2024, with Smith’s native Queensland a reported frontrunner.
“It has been spoken about for a few months now,” he said.
“I am not sure how far along we are. I really stay out of those conversations to be honest.
“It would be so cool. Part of my reason to play was to have an event here and if we got two, that would make so much difference.”
Smith posted rounds of 69, 66 and 66 at the Grange, two weeks after being somewhat deflated by his tied 34 finish at the US Masters.
“I did a really good job of actually just playing golf with all the outside noise,” he said.
“There was a lot of good on the golf course, there was a lot of putts that could have gone in … I had so many missed opportunities.
“Usually that leads to frustrating weeks where you end up down the leaderboard but it makes you stay on top of it and play some really high-quality golf.”
-AAP
