Cam Smith within striking distance of a fourth Australian PGA Championship

Cam Smith’s quest for a fourth Australian PGA Championship title is well and truly on target but another Queenslander can’t be discounted.

Cameron Smith is on the verge of Australian PGA Championship redemption after a superb Saturday round of 65 at Royal Queensland.

A three-time winner of the event, Smith was distraught last year after missing the cut.

However, holding a share of the lead at 10-under with Gold Coast product Elvis Smylie after two rounds of this year’s shortened tournament that is being played over 54 holes after Friday’s washout, Smith is close to lifting the Joe Kirkwood Cup for a fourth time.

“I’d like to think this is my home event,” the proud Queenslander said.

“I feel like the crowd is behind me here, and there are lots of family and friends out here as well cheering me on.

“It’s a really cool environment for me, which is probably why I play it so well, but at the same time you’ve got to go out and do it.”

Smylie, who led after round one at six-under, birdied the 18th on Saturday finish with a second-round of 67 and draw level with Smith, who was already in the clubhouse.

“That’s why I work hard, it’s why I practice hard to put myself in these positions come Sunday,” 22-year-old Smylie said.

“Everything is going really well, every part of my game is in pretty good shape.

“As soon as I was in tricky positions, I did a really good job getting out of it without doing too much damage.”

Hot on their heels is Smith’s LIV Golf teammate Marc Leishman at nine-under after a second-round of 66, while Aldrich Potgieter and David Micheluzzi are a further stroke back at eight-under.

“I’m playing good enough to win,” Leishman said.

Cameron Smith shares the lead at the Australian PGA Championship. Picture: Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Despite bogeying the 18th hole on Saturday, South African Potgieter, who spent several years living in Western Australia, was content to be in contention after his second successive round of 67.

“I just tried to go at everything, put a really high number up because I know it’s three rounds and we’re pushed for time, so it’s not a long run race anymore, it’s now a sprint,” said 20-year-old Potgieter, who at one stage was leading the tournament on Saturday.

“Unfortunately I didn’t have the back nine I wanted but we’ve still got another day and we’re up there so I’m pretty happy.”

Victorian Micheluzzi also shot a second straight round of 67.

“Overall I’m happy to be thereabouts with one round to go,” Micheluzzi said.

Three players – Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach, England’s Matthew Southgate and Victorian Ben Eccles – are at seven under, while former world No.1 Jason Day shot 69 on Saturday to move to six-under.

“I putted poorly today,” tournament drawcard Day said.

“I just didn’t get anything going but I was nice and patient which was good, but I’ve got to shoot a deep one (on Sunday) to try to maybe win.”

Another of the eight players at six-under is Cameron Davis, who shot 67 on Saturday after his opening round of 69.

“I’m very happy,” Davis said.

“I haven’t hit the ball super great, I haven’t made a huge amount of putts, but I have finished both rounds very well and I am seeing some nice trends.

“Whether I was able to shoot something really low and get myself up near the top or just have a good solid day and feel happy within myself that I’ve done a good job, I think I’m probably more going to the latter right now.”

Originally published as Cam Smith within striking distance of a fourth Australian PGA Championship