Australian sensation Cameron Smith heads to Thailand as LIV Golf’s reigning champion

BANGKOK: LIV Golf Invitational Chicago champion Cameron Smith is eager to bring the tournament series to new international audiences as it prepares to host high-profile debuts in Thailand and Saudi Arabia next month.

The Australian emerged victorious at Rich Harvest Farms this past weekend, carding a three-under final round of 69 for a 13-under total score and a $4 million prize as individual champion in only his second start since joining the circuit.

The 2022 Open Champion finished three shots ahead of Peter Uihlein and Dustin Johnson, the latter taking home the individual title on Sept. 2-4 at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston. Johnson, the current leader in LIV Golf’s individual point standings, and his team, 4 Aces GC, have also won four consecutive team trophies in LIV Golf’s new team format for this year’s eight-event invitational series.

LIV Golf’s June debut in London was followed by four consecutive events in the US. The series will break new ground at the new Stonehill venue in the northern suburbs of Bangkok Oct. 7-9, before traveling to Jeddah a week later.

Reflecting on the opportunity ahead to play in back-to-back international tournaments, the 29-year-old Smith said: “I think it is fantastic. That’s one of the reasons why I came over here, is to play golf around the world.

“I think my time when I was a young professional over in Asia are some of the best times of my life. Traveling with good friends and playing really good tournaments was something I will never forget, and I’m really looking forward and really excited for what this tour is going to bring to the golf world.”

Smith, who finished just off the podium in his first LIV Golf event earlier this month, has been impressed with the