Aussie golfer Cameron Smith has left viewers in awe after taking his shoes off and taking a shot from a near impossible position in the PGA Championship major. Smith hit an impressive three-under 68 on the first day of the second major of the year as he remains in the hunt for the title. Although Xander Schauffele hit a tournament record nine-under 62 on the first day having produced some of the best golf seen this year.
Smith admitted it would be a ‘long week’ chasing Schauffele who left the players stunned with his runaway performance. And it could have been a lot worse for the Aussie if it wasn’t for an incredible shot out of the water on the seventh hole.
Smith found himself in major trouble when his tee shot steered off course and ended up in the shallow water of the pond. Viewers expected a drop ball, but the Aussie was determined he could play the shot back onto the fairway.
From the wet lie, Smith managed to chip the ball back onto the fairway and then managed to save par on the seventh. Smith admitted his par saves kept him with the leaders, which was clear after a brilliant chip on the seventh.
But at the end of the day, it was Smith’s shoeless save that left the golf world in awe of his talent. Many labelled Smith’s short game as the best in the world after a up-and-down day.
Cam Smith leads Aussie charge at PGA Championship
Smith’s score of three-under has him tied 17th with Schauffele well out in front as Sahith Theegala and Tony Finau chase behind on six-under. Smith was pleased with his game on Thursday and admitted he was ready to tackle the course again tomorrow as he prepares for a charge.
“I actually hit the ball quite well for probably the first 12 or 13 holes there,” Smith said. “Kind of let go of it a little bit at the end, but everything felt really good and I managed to get a few good par saves and keep the momentum going for tomorrow.
“It’s going be a long week. I think you know that at the start of the week anyway – it’s a major week. It’s always more demanding. Plenty of rest this afternoon, maybe hit a few balls, clean some stuff up and get a good sleep tonight.”
Lucas Herbert, Smith’s Ripper GC teammate in LIV Golf, was the second Aussie in the lead having carded a two-under 69. “Got off to a poor start there but then caught that back up with four birdies,” Herbert said. “I think I holed out really well, holed some nice five footers, some sort of eight footers just to keep my momentum through the round, through the back nine and not drop any shots when I maybe struggled a bit.”