Smith, Rippers maintain lead after Round 2 of LIV Golf London

ST ALBANS: Cameron Smith and his Ripper GC are one of four teams yet to reach the podium this LIV Golf League season, but they have an opportunity to end that drought at LIV Golf London — and perhaps even grab their first-ever team trophy.

The Rippers enter the final round at Centurion Club with a one-shot lead over the defending London champions Stinger GC, while Smith has a three-shot lead on the individual leaderboard. He already has one individual win in his LIV career, last season in Chicago. He would love to have company on the podium and sweep both titles on Sunday.

“In our group chat, we’ve said multiple times that we need to get up there and spray champagne over each other,” Smith said after his 4-under 67 moved him to 12 under. “I think that would be a pretty fun experience. Still work to be done on the individual side, but it would be nice to see us at the top of the leaderboard on the team side, as well.”

Smith and teammate Marc Leishman have handled the bulk of the contributions through the first two days, with Leishman among the group of pursuers tied for second at 9 under after shooting 69 on Saturday. Matt Jones contributed a 67 to match Smith’s round, and the fourth member of the team, Jediah Morgan, shot a 69 to match Leishman’s counting score.

“If we can look after the individual, play as well as we can, all shoot good scores, the team stuff will take care of itself,” Leishman said, who will play with his captain in the same group for the second consecutive round. “Hopefully I can make a bit of a run at Cam tomorrow and make things interesting.”

Leishman will have company in trying to chase down Smith, who will defend his Open Championship title in two weeks at Royal Liverpool. Also at 9 under is