Smith overcomes shaky start, takes LIV lead

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England — British Open champion Cameron Smith overcame a pair of bogeys firstly to put up a 4-under 67, giving him a 3-shot lead at LIV Golf-London on Saturday.

Smith is taking part in his closing occasion forward of his British Open title protection in two weeks at Royal Liverpool. The Australian has but to win this yr.

Thomas Pieterswho joined LIV firstly of the season, had a fair rougher time at Centurion Membership. Together with a double bogey on the primary gap, he dropped one other shot on the seventh. However his birdie on the seventh was the beginning of three in a row, and Pieters shot 31 on the again 9 to remain within the recreation with a 67.

Marc Leishman was slowed by back-to-back bogeys early on the again 9 and shot 69. Leishman and Pieters had been joined at 9-under 133 by Louis Oosthuizenwho was 9 below for his spherical with 4 holes to play and needed to accept a 63.

Smith was at 12-under 130 going into the third and closing spherical. His final victory was the LIV occasion exterior Chicago final September.

Within the crew competitors, Smith’s Ripper Golf Membership was at 23 below and led by one over Stinger, with Oosthuizen because the captain.

Smash has been within the information for the improper causes this week. The captain, PGA champion Brooks Koepkatook to the media to unload on teammate Matthew Wolffcriticizing him of quitting on rounds and never working. Wolff responded by saying he nonetheless was engaged on psychological well being and it was heartbreaking to listen to Koepka’s criticism.

Koepka shot 66. Wolff’s two eagles had been offset by 4 bogeys in his spherical of 69. Smash was in seventh place out of 12 groups.