Cameron Smith turns tables on Dustin Johnson, leads by two at LIV Golf Chicago

Having trailed by two shots after the first round, Cameron Smith will now take a two-shot lead on 10-under-par into the final round at Rich Harvest Farms.

Matt Chivers's picture
Sat, 17 Sep 2022
Cameron Smith turns tables on Dustin Johnson, leads by three at LIV Golf Chicago

Cameron Smith completely flipped the leaderboard in the second round of the LIV Golf Chicago Invitational, carding a 68 to take a two-shot lead into the final round.

The Australian trailed Dustin Johnson by three shots on Friday after the American shot a stunning score of 9-under-par, but Johnson hasn't shown the same heroics at the weekend at Rich Harvest Farms.

Smith made five birdies and just one bogey on the par-5 11th hole, his only bogey of the week. His round of 4-under-par took him to 10-under and in a great position to secure his first win on the Saudi-backed series.

The 29-year-old, who won his maiden major title at The 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July, is making only his second appearance for LIV Golf since commissioner Greg Norman signed him on to lead the Australian core that he intends to build.

As for Johnson, it was just his second score above 70 since participating in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational near London in June. He made two birdies and three bogeys in a lacklustre round of 73.

The two-time major champion sealed his first win on the breakaway series at the Boston Invitational two weeks ago. He is currently in second place and one shot ahead of fellow American Peter Uihlein.

Uihlein, who is one of the seven remaining names involved in the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour, carded a 66 in the second round which was the lowest round of the day.

The 33-year-old took advantage of the tougher scoring conditions to reach 7-under-par. At the London Invitational, we picked Uihlein's brains on his long game and practice drills he likes to do on the driving range.

Englishman Laurie Canter shot a solid score of 68 on Saturday to reach 6-under-par. He is four shots behind Cameron Smith and is currently the player highest placed on the leaderboard from Cleeks GC.

LIV Golf Chicago Invitational - Second round leaderboard:

-10 C Smith

-8 D Johnson

-7 P Uihlein

-6 L Canter, C Schwartzel

-5 B DeChambeau, C Howell III, L Westwood

-4 M Jones, J Niemann, L Oosthuizen, M Wolff