Cameron Smith tees up golden opportunity for $4m pay day at LIV Golf London

Cameron Smith will take a three-shot lead into the final round of LIV Golf's event at Centurion Club just outside of London.

Ben Smith

08 Jul 2023

Cameron Smith tees up golden opportunity for $4m pay day at LIV Golf London

A frustrated Cameron Smith headed straight to the driving range despite cultivating a three-shot lead at LIV Golf London after 36 holes.

The 2022 Open Champion posted a 4-under 68 at Centurion Club in Hemel Hempstead to set up a Sunday duel with a host of big names and fellow Aussie Marc Leishman.

His round got off to a shaky start with a bogey at the first hole but he rallied to turn in 1-under par.

Related: Cam Smith on Tiger's silence

Smith revealed he was pleased 'I was able to get a score' out of his Saturday round not finding the centre of the clubface with his drive with any regularity.

On more than one occasion the 29-year-old lost drives out to the right and had to use all of his skill to scramble and save par.

By day's end he had moved to 12-under, three ahead of Leishman, Belgian Thomas Pieters and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Pieters didn't appear too pleased with being asked this question about being dropped by Tiger Woods' agency after joining the breakaway tour.

Elsewhere, Patrick Reed (64), Henrik Stenson (67), Dustin Johnson (65) also occupy positions within the top-10 but will need Smith to struggle if they are to claim the title.

On the team front, it's Smith's Ripper side out in front on 23-under, two ahead of the all-South African side Stinger and four ahead of Johnson's 4Aces and Bubba Watson's RangeGoats.

The individual winner receives $4m whilst the team split a $3m bonus.

Smith told the media:

"It was just a long day. I think it takes -- it's always tough to back up a really nice round, and I think that took it out of me, and then again today kind of grinding around and having to think a little bit more than what I wanted to.

"Yeah, the mind is a little fried at the moment, but long rest."

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“A little bit of work to do tonight”
Our leader, Cam Smith, wants more tomorrow #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/EaKqW7Pn80
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 8, 2023

He added:

"It definitely wasn't my prettiest stuff, but really proud of the way that I hung in there. It could have gone south really quick there. It could have gone south a few holes before, as well.

"It was nice to kind of keep that momentum going and heading into tomorrow, as well."

More from LIV Golf London:

Leaderboard after 36 holes: