Smith leads Australian PGA Championship heading into final round

Crowd favourite and world number three Cameron Smith recovered from a mid-round scare and will take a comfortable three-shot buffer into Sunday’s final round of the $2 million Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.

Smith, who won this year’s British Open and staked a legitimate claim to be the world’s best golfer, looked like running away with the Joe Kirkwood Cup as he cruised to a three-shot lead early in his third round, overhauling overnight leader Jason Scrivener before the turn.

But as the wind whipped up and lashed the exposed Brisbane river course, the Queenslander faltered with three bogeys at the par-five ninth when he found a fairway bunker, and again at the 11th and 12 holes, to open the door slightly to his chasers.

As the challengers came, Smith found his short-game touch dropping back-to-back birdies at the par-five 15th and again at the very next hole when he knocked it close again.

After a solid drive down 18, he pumped his approach into the last hole through the green and into the bunker.

Smith, who played a magnificent sand shot out of the famous Road Hole bunker on his way to winning the British Open earlier this year, left himself a three-metre birdie putt which he leaked to the left.

The 29-year-old again showcased his wonderful short game, and while his putting wasn’t “on fire” it was good enough to sweep him to a lead that should prove a bridge too far tomorrow afternoon when conditions are expected to be fine.

Smith will be partnered in the final group tomorrow by ultra-consistent Japanese professional Masahiro Kawamura (68-66-71).

China’s Yan Wei Liu (67.-68-70) was tied for second spot with Kawamura who has had four bogeys in 54 holes to go with 12 birdies.

Yan Wei Liu will play in front of a monster gallery tomorrow that will all be behind Brisbane boy Smith, so it will be a difficult afternoon for him as he chases a massive maiden victory.

Other players in contention include Perth’s Min Woo Lee is four shots back along with Queenslander Brad Kennedy and South African-born West Australian Jason Scrivener who closed with two super birdies on 17 and 18 to give himself an outside chance of grabbing his second career win.

Us Masters winner Adam Scott was never at home, struggling to a three-over round of 73 to be one under for the tournament but a massive 11 shots behind Smith with virtually no hope of winning.

Summing up his two-under 69 Smith said the conditions on the back nine were “tough”.
“I think it was a little bit frustrating there on that back nine, but in these conditions, I would have taken two-under at the start of the day, so it’s kind of the case that beggars can’t be choosers,” he said.

“Yeah, it was really hot obviously on that front nine. I felt really good and it’s just frustrating to end like that.

Asked about a few loose drives he said: “I don know, you tell me. I’ve got no idea.

“Just a bit of a crappy nine holes I think, mate. Something to forget. I played the last three holes really nicely or the last four holes really nicely, so yeah, it’s still there, it’s just a few terrible tee shots in there.

Smith said it would be great to win another PGA title and then go after the Australian Open next.

“My big thing down here was to have a really big crack at the Aussie Open.

“I haven’t won one of those yet and I think that would be a really good end to a really good year.

“I’ll be trying my best tomorrow.”

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