'It's unreal' – Cameron Smith scoops golf's richest prize at 2022 Players Championship golf with Sawgrass magic show

Cameron Smith emulated an array of Australia's finest players from yesteryear to win a marathon 49th Players Championship at storm-ravaged Sawgrass in the fading light of a rousing fifth day at golf's richest tournament. The 28-year-old Brisbane professional emulated Steve Elkington (1991 and 1997), Greg Norman (1994), Adam Scott (2004) and Jason Day (2016) by becoming the latest figure from Down Under to finish on top at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida, the outpost where he usually resides in the US. Ad/> Despite playing some fabulous shots to sign for a closing six-under 66 – that included 10 glorious birdies and a memorable two at the iconic par-3 17th island hole – a nervy bogey at the 18th saw him fall back to 13 under and leave the door ajar with India's Anirban Lahiri a shot adrift playing the last.

The Players Championship'A special thing to happen' – Lowry celebrates iconic ace as unheralded Lahiri leads at SawgrassYESTERDAY AT 06:48 Fresh from a 12-foot birdie on 17, Lahiri had the chance to force a play-off as Smith watched anxiously on a TV screen in the clubhouse, but was relieved as the World No 322 – the surprise third-round leader on nine under from Monday morning before a wildly undulating fourth round unfolded – saw his chip shot come up agonisingly short. «It's unreal. A long, hard week and so nice to come out on top.

This is one of the big ones. It's nice to get it done,» said Smith, who was reunited with his mum Sharon and sister Mel after a lengthy two-year wait due to Covid travel restrictions in Australia. /> /> «They came over last week, and golf really took a back step, I guess.