LIV Golf's Cameron Smith off to Thailand
LIV Golf Invitational Chicago champion Cameron Smith is eager to bring LIV Golf’s supercharged tournament series to new international audiences as it prepares to make high-profile debuts in Thailand and Saudi Arabia next month.
LIV Golf Invitational - Chicago - Day Three
SUGAR GROVE, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Team Captain Cameron Smith of Punch GC plays his shot from the 18th tee during Day Three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms on September 18, 2022 in Sugar Grove, Illinois. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images )
The Australian emerged victorious at Rich Harvest Farms last weekend, carding a three-under final round of 69 for a 13-under total score and a US$4 million prize as individual champion in only his second start since joining the circuit.
The 2022 Open champion finished three shots ahead of Peter Uihlein and Dustin Johnson, the latter of whom took home the individual title at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at the start of September. Johnson is the current leader in LIV Golf’s individual point standings and his team, 4 Aces GC, has also won four consecutive team trophies in LIV Golf’s innovative new team format for this year’s eight-event Invitational Series.
LIV Golf’s June debut in London was followed by four consecutive events in the United States. The series will break new ground at the new Stonehill venue in the northern suburbs of Bangkok (October 7-9), before heading to Jeddah a week later.
Reflecting on playing in back-to-back international tournaments, 29-year-old Smith said: “I think it is fantastic. That’s one of the reasons why I came over here is to play golf around the world.
“I think my time when I was a young professional over in Asia are some of the best times of my life. Travelling with good friends and playing really good tournaments was something I will never forget, and I’m really looking forward and excited for what this Tour is going to bring to the golf world.”
Smith, who finished just off the podium in his first LIV Golf event earlier this month, has been impressed with the ‘supercharged golf’ and atmosphere at LIV Golf tournaments.
LIV Golf features a unique and fan-friendly format in which events are played over three days and feature shotgun starts, a 48-man field battling for both team and individual titles, and on-course music adding to a lively environment for players and fans, alike.
Fun spectator activations within the events, such as the opportunity to receive a Smith-style mullet haircut to raise money for charity, are also bringing something different to the world of golf.
Added Smith: “It’s really cool. It’s something that I’ve gotten used to over the last couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to keep this going. It’s unreal out here. I love the energy. Everyone is really engaged and everyone is really watching what you are doing. It’s awesome.
“The music on the golf course and on the range is something that I really enjoy. I think everyone out there really enjoys it, as well. I feel like the fans are closer to you and they are probably a little bit louder on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but I love it. The atmosphere is perfect.”
Smith is not the only player embracing the new on-course vibe this season. The victorious 4 Aces team of Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch has thrived in the upbeat atmosphere. “The fans have been amazing at every event,” said Perez. “They are behind us, they’re for it.”