Cameron Smith is thrilled to have more opportunities to win on home soil after South Australia secured a three-year contract extension with LIV Golf.
On Sunday, it was announced that the state would remain the exclusive home of LIV Golf in Australia until at least 2028 after another successful event.
Smith believes the extension validates the Saudi-backed tour’s place in the golfing landscape as its union with the PGA Tour continues to hit roadblocks.
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Cameron Smith thanks the crowd during LIV Golf Adelaide. Mark Brake via Getty Images
The Queenslander did not perform his best as his team Ripper GC’s home title defence collapsed.
Smith was five-under after his opening seven holes in the third round on Sunday, but his chances of an unlikely win came unhooked as the local hope slipped up with a run of bogeys.
He finished 30th at one under, 12 shots behind eventual winner Joaquin Niemann.
The Australian Ripper GC team finished ninth from 13 teams, 21 strokes behind the winning Fireballs GC.
Marc Leishman was the best-placed Australian, finishing three under and tied for 21st. Lucas Herbert (even) and Matt Jones (three-over) also failed to fire.
The new deal with LIV Golf also comes with the option for South Australia to keep the tournament until 2031, with the latter three years contingent on the redevelopment of a golf course closer to the heart of the city in North Adelaide.
The first-ever purpose-built LIV course would be designed by former CEO Greg Norman.
Australian golf legend Greg Norman, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas and LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announce that LIV golf will stay in Adelaide till 2031. Getty
For Smith, the thought of another six chances to claim victory at the LIV Adelaide event took the sting out of this year’s disappointing showing.
“That’s been the vision for a long time in a lot of places,” he said.
“It’s nice we are the first one, it’s really cool. It shows the support we have here. I love Greg’s golf courses.
“To have another six years, it’s pretty crazy and so cool. They’ve got a really good thing going, it’s exciting to keep coming down here. It’s getting better and better every year and will be better again next year.”
Chilean Niemann claimed a two-stroke victory after a stunning final round.
