Cameron Smith Secures Maiden LIV Golf Title

The Champion Golfer of the Year led from start to finish on the final day, as he picked up his first LIV Golf title

Smith walks on the green with his putter
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Featuring in his second LIV Golf event, Cameron Smith picked up his first title, as the Australian led from start to finish in Chicago to scoop the $4 million first prize.

Although positions were changing left, right and centre, it was the current Open champion who stayed top of the leaderboard, as a number of crucial putts, just like we saw at St Andrews and the 150th Open Championship, gave him a three shot win.

Beginning the day, Smith held a two-shot advantage over the last LIV winner, Dustin Johnson. However through six holes that lead was down to one, as Johnson moved nearer to the Punch GC captain.

Only a few holes later though, Smith found himself three shots clear with the final nine to play and, thanks to some steady golf, it remained that way for the majority of the day.

Smash GC player, Peter Uihlein, did cut the deficit to two shots and, if he had holed a makeable putt on the 16th, he would have been within one. But it was Smith's experience that shone through, as two classy shots at his 17th set up a birdie which put him three shots clear going down the last.

Uihlein smashes a drive

Uihlein finished a tie for second and pocketed the largest paycheck of his career

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With a par at the 18th, the title was Smith's, as the Aussie picked up a first LIV trophy. However, away from the individual title, it was the team event that was heating up, with the 4 Aces GC looking for a fourth consecutive victory.

Smash GC, Hy Flyers GC and Punch GC had run them close but, thanks to a birdie at the last from team captain, Johnson, it was the 4 Aces who picked up the fourth title and $750,000 each.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x