Smith in a three-way tie for the Australian Open lead
John Salvado |
Crowd favourite Cameron Smith has moved into a tie for the lead midway through his final round of the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
Chasing a first Australian Open title and a first tour win in more than two years, Smith had two birdies and a bogey in the opening nine holes of his final round to be at 13 under.
Overnight leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen from Denmark bogeyed the 9th hole to drop back to 13 under, level with Smith and Si Woo Kim.
The South Korean is seeking to make a favourable impression this week on Geoff Ogilvy, who is captaining the International Team at next year’s Presidents Cup.
Adam Scott – who won his only Australian Open crown back in 2009 – is the next best-placed local in a tie for fourth at 11 under with Mexican Carlos Ortiz and New Zealander Daniel Hillier.
Min Woo Lee had three bogeys and just the one birdie in his first 10 holes on Sunday to slip back to eight under.
Smith’s last tournament victory was at LIV Golf Bedminster in August 2023.
The Queenslander has won the Australian PGA Championship three times but has made no secret of the fact that – outside the majors – the Australian Open is the title he craves the most.
The closest Smith has come to lifting the Stonehaven Cup was at Royal Sydney in 2016, when he lost in a playoff to American Jordan Spieth.
Tournament drawcard Rory McIlroy was at five under late in his final round.
The Northern Irishman will return to the sandbelt to play the 2026 Australian Open at nearby Kingston Heath.
AAP
