Smith Heading To Royal Liverpool Claret Jug Defence In Best Possible Form

2 years ago by Comments Off on Smith Heading To Royal Liverpool Claret Jug Defence In Best Possible Form

Aussie Cam Smith could not be in better form ahead of next fortnight’s 151st Open Championship defence, leading from start to finish to capture the LIV London tourament.

Smith was never headed in capturing a second LUV title in posting a closing round of a three-under 68 for a 15-under-par one shot victory on the host Centurion course, and where just over a year ago the inaugural LIV event was conducted.

Fellow Aussie and Ripper team-mate Marc Leishman (66), and along with Patrick Reed (65) shared second place at 14-under par.

Smith, who turns 30 in some five weeks, captured his 11th pro career title and, as mentioned, his second LIV title after winning last September’s LUV Chicago.

“You know, it’s good. I think it’s more of a confidence thing there. Just winning again I think is nice,” said Smith.

“It really hasn’t been that long, I think. In Australia at the end of the year was my last win, but it feels like forever, and especially the way I’ve been playing the last couple months, I’ve been knocking on the door. It’s nice to get one out of the way, and hopefully it opens the floodgates a little bit.”

Just under a year ago, Smith brushed aside Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy to join past Aussie golfing greats Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle to win golf’s oldest major on the famed Old Course.

Now Smith heads to Royal Liverpool a first occasion seeking to become the first player since Ireland’s Padraig Harrington to retain the famed Claret Jug.

“I’ve not been to Royal Liverpook before, so looking forward to it though there’ll be probably no golf for me this  coming week before heading up to Hoylake on Saturday,” he said.

“So, I’ll have a bit of a longer prep than usual, but yeah, put the clubs down for three or four days, just hang out in London, see all the sights, and yeah, just have a good time, relax.

Q. Is there anything you feel you need to work on even though you’ve just won? Anything that’s not where you want it going in?

CAM SMITH: “Yeah, I feel like I’ve done so much work on my driver this year, and it’s really been feeling good. It wasn’t its best weekend this weekend. I feel like I have to do some work on that.

“Even though it’s a links course, generally you have to hit a lot of different shots off tees. If there’s one thing, I think it would just be tidy up that driver, and I’ll be set.”

Great win Cam and see you at Hoylake.

 



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