Cam Smith plays otherworldly cart path shot en route to early lead in Bedminster

Cameron Smith has taken the early lead at LIV Golf's event in Bedminster, carding a 5-under 66 at Trump National Golf Club.

Ben Smith

12 Aug 2023

Cam Smith plays otherworldly cart path shot en route to early lead in Bedminster — Cam Smith plays otherworldly cart path shot en route to early lead in…

Cameron Smith has a one shot lead after the opening round of LIV Golf's tournament in Bedminster.

Smith posted an opening round of 5-under 66 at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey to sit one clear of American Charles Howell III.

Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson both posted rounds of 3-under 68 to sit in a tie for third.

Smith is searching for his second LIV Golf League victory of the season. His first came a week before the 151st Open at Centurion Club, just outside of London.

"This is my first time here," said Smith. "I think it's a great golf course. You can see how it was going to host a major for sure. The rough is pretty gnarly. I think if these greens were firm and fast, it would be a really tough test of golf, and it would be tough to break par."

Smith's round included six birdies, his only blemish came at the par-3 16th.

He also played an incredible shot off a cart path, picking the ball perfectly off the surface and not even leaving a spark.

Cam Smith will hit from ANYWHERE #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/u5JzGpehMi
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) August 11, 2023

Smith said of that:

"Well, I didn't really have another option. The rough, like I mentioned before, the rough is pretty gnarly out here. The cart path I think is a better option than the rough.

"I try not to do it too often, but managed to hit a pretty good shot. Probably actually didn't go as far as I thought it was going to go, but that was about it."

Elsewhere, Bryson DeChambeau, who carded an historic 12-under 58 to claim victory at the last LIV Golf event a week ago, struggled with his first 18 holes.

DeChambeau carded a 2-over par 73 with a round that included five bogeys and three birdies.

Phil Mickelson, who has been making headlines over allegations he tried to wager $400,000 on the 2012 Ryder Cup, is in a tie for 10th place.

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