Cameron Smith Dominates in New Jersey for Second LIV Win in Three Starts

Cameron Smith captured his third LIV Golf victory and his second win in just three starts on Sunday by a stunning margin of seven shots.

Smith ultimately won with three steady rounds of 66, 67 and 68 at Trump National Bedminster for a tournament total of 12 under par. Anirban Lahiri came in second at 5 under, and Abraham Ancer, Patrick Reed and Dean Burmester tied for third at 4 under. 

MORE: Final prize money from LIV Golf Bedminster

Phil Mickelson looked to be a potential challenger for the Australian until he splashed two balls in the water on the par-3 11th en route to a nasty quintuple bogey. He finished in a tie for ninth.

Smith started Sunday’s round with two bogeys within his first three holes, but quickly regained command of the tournament. 

The 2022 British Open champion made five birdies after his rocky start, including three in a row on holes 8-10. 

Smith’s win also helped his team, Ripper GC, clinch their maiden team title on the breakaway tour, and his teammates greeted him with a hearty champagne shower on the 18th green moments after his final par putt dropped. 

Smith’s wire-to-wire victory in New Jersey is his second win on LIV this season. 

The major champion won the tour’s London event in July. In London, Smith needed two putts to win the individual title, but those two putts resulted in his team barely missing out on a sudden-death team playoff. In New Jersey, however, Smith finally brought the victory home for the squad of four.  

One of Smith’s tournament highlights in New Jersey came during the second round of the event when he striped a 3-wood off the cart path, and fans couldn’t get enough of the risky shot. 

“I love playing out of different lies and hitting crazy shots. I don't know, I've always loved to be creative, and I feel like that brings the best out of me,” Smith said. 

Smith will next tee it up at LIV’s Chicago event, which will take place Sept. 22-24 at Rich Harvest Farms.