PROUD CAMERON

Smith wins event in Chicago by three shots

“I think I had to prove to probably myself and some other people that I am still a great player — I am still out here to win tournaments,” said Smith.

In Summary

• The Australian, 29, beat Dustin Johnson and Peter Uihlein by three shots. He finished with back-to-back birdies as he shot a closing three-under-par 69 in the 54-hole event in Chicago.

• Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson produced his best performance in a LIV event, finishing eighth thanks to a closing 66.

Cameron Smith putts during a past tournament
Cameron Smith putts during a past tournament
Image: FILE

Open champion Cameron Smith won £3.5m in prize money as he claimed his first LIV Golf title on his second start in the Saudi Arabian-backed series.

The Australian, 29, beat Dustin Johnson and Peter Uihlein by three shots. He finished with back-to-back birdies as he shot a closing three-under-par 69 in the 54-hole event in Chicago.

“I think I had to prove to probably myself and some other people that I am still a great player — I am still out here to win tournaments,” said Smith.

Smith finished on 13 under having started the day two shots clear of playing partner Johnson, the 2020 Masters champion.

“Proud of how I hung in there today. Didn’t really have my best stuff the first eight or nine holes but stuck it through and made a few good putts coming in. It was nice,” added Smith, who won The Open at St Andrews in July.

Smith, the highest-ranked player to join LIV Golf to date, finished fourth on his debut two weeks ago in Boston.

He was one of 12 major champions in the 48-player field at the latest LIV event.

Johnson’s second place helped his 4 Aces team-mates Patrick Reed, Talor Gooch and Pat Perez win the team competition and a split of the £2.6m first prize for the fourth successive event.

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson produced his best performance in a LIV event, finishing eighth thanks to a closing 66.