Open champion Cameron Smith has won his first LIV Golf trophy and four million dollars (£3.5 million) in prize money in just his second start in the competition.
The Australian, who left the PGA Tour for the controversial Saudi-backed tournament after becoming number two in the world – the highest-ranked player to join, closed with a three-under 69 for a three-shot victory at the Chicago Invitational.
The 29-year-old was briefly threatened in the third and final round at Rich Harvest Farms but he restored his lead with a birdie on the 17th to ensure neither Dustin Johnson nor Peter Uihlein could catch him.
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The Americans tied for second after each made birdie on the par-5 18th hole.
Johnson finished with 70 while his compatriot Uihlein finished with 69 – both earning 1,812,500 dollars (£1,589,417) from the 20-million-dollar purse (£17.5 million)
Johnson is the only player from the 48-man field to have finished in the top 10 at every LIV Golf event and he remains one of the most significant players to sign up.
The 38-year-old is a two-time major champion who was number one in the world longer than any player since Tiger Woods.
The next LIV Golf event is in three weeks in Bangkok.
The series does not return to America until the final team event at Trump Doral near Miami in October.
As well as Smith and Johnson, the Saudi-backed rebel tour has attracted Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
While delighted with his win, Smith said a decision on whether he and other competitors in LIV Golf will receive world rankings points needs to be made soon.
Greg Norman and co have applied to be recognised in the world rankings, which play a key role in deciding entry into golf's four majors.
As their file remains under review, the 29-year-old has pleaded for a resolution as soon as possible. “I suppose there's a lot on the line with the ranking points, getting into majors, stuff like that,” Smith, who earned exemption into golf's four majors for at least the next five years with his win at St. Andrews in July.
“There needs to be (a resolution) quite soon, I think. The field here is strong enough and deep enough to where it warrants that, and hopefully it's soon.” Other than a brief threat in the third and final round from Dustin Johnson, the world number three restored his lead with a birdie on the 17th before going on to win.
Peter Uihlein finished behind runner-up Johnson, who maintained his impressive record of finishing inside the top 10 at every LIV Golf event so far. The victorious Smith celebrated with girlfriend Shanel Naoum after pocketing four million dollars (£3.5 million) after just his second start in the competition.
"I think I had to prove to probably myself and some other people that I am still a great player - I am still out here to win tournaments."
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