Cameron Smith has shown plenty of fightback during a hot and windy first round at LIV Golf Andalucia after a sloppy start at the famed Valderrama course in Spain.
LIV Golf’s second edition at the former Ryder Cup, WGC and European Tour host venue saw players tortured by strong gusts, temperatures between 31C-34C, thick rough and quick greens – in addition to Valderrama’s demanding, dogleg and tree-lined tee shots.
The 2022 Open champion Smith, who is preparing for next week’s UK major at Royal Troon, made bogey on his first hole, the par-4 second at Valderrama (with the league’s shotgun start). The three-time LIV winner followed that with a double-bogey at the eighth. But two back-nine birdies brought his total back to one-over-par and six shots back of the lead.
Having to drive it straight and flight the trajectory on every iron shot in the wind at Valderrama should serve as a good examination of Smith’s game before the Open at Troon. Smith’s best result in the three majors this year was a T6 at the Masters.
South Africa’s Dean Burmester topped the leaderboard at five-under courtesy of a 66. New Zealand’s Danny Lee was one shot back after a 67.
Lucas Herbert, Smith’s Ripper GC teammate, was next best of the Australians with a 75 dropping him to four-over. Herbert’s playing partners, Marc Leishman and Matt Jones, were five-over and 10-over, respectively.