Cameron Smith powers to Players Championship triumph as Lowry's challenge fades

Cameron Smith survived a late scare to win The Players Championship at Sawgrass after a dramatic final round.

The Australian put his approach shot into the water at the 18th, but managed to hold off overnight leader Anirban Lahiri and England's Paul Casey as he carded a 66 to finish on 13-under-par.

Smith's eventful final round included 10 birdies and four bogeys, but he ultimately held his nerve to claim the $3.6m first prize.

If there's such a thing as a clutch bogey ... This is it. pic.twitter.com/XzW94c2Sgh

Smith was watched by his mother and sister, who he had not seen for more than two years because of Covid-19 restrictions. In a video posted on the PGA Tour's Twitter account he said: "It's really cool to have them here.

"My main priority really was just to hang out with them and golf was second for these few weeks.

"It's nice to see them and nice to get a win for them."

In a bunched field, the Australian soared into the lead after a stunning opening to his final round, rattling in four birdies in the opening four holes, adding another on the sixth for good measure.

Norwegian Viktor Hovlund, whose belated completion of his third round had included a hole-in-one at the eighth, picked up where he had left off to head for the 12th tee with five birdies having taken him to eight under. Smith faltered with back-to-back bogeys at the seventh, eight and ninth holes and playing partner Casey, having reignited his challenge with a birdie three at seven, reached the turn with a bogey and another birdie to take a share of the lead on nine under par.

Hovlund had slipped back to eight under with a five at the 12th as Lahiri hooked his tee shot at the par three eighth and had to take a drop, eventually carding a double bogey. However,