Cam Smith couldn’t put missed Masters cut to bed after Sunay LIV struggle in Mexico as Lucas Herbert blitzed

Lucas Herbert picked up $3 million for coming second but it’s the ongoing struggles of his LIV teammate Cam Smith which are setting tongues wagging.

Cameron Smith had the chance to immediately put his missed-cut at the Masters behind him but a Sunday slide cost him two LIV titles as his flat 2025 continued.

Backing up in Mexico two weeks after his Augusta shocker, Smith started the final round two-shots ahead of eventual winner, J2023 Australian open champ Joaquin Niemann.

Smith’s Ripper GC team also held the team lead on the final day by as much as five shots, courtesy of a stunning 10-under 61 from Lucas Herbert.

An unbelievable Sunday charge from @lhgolf5 🔥

He shoots a blemish-free, 10-under to match the course record at Club de Golf Chapultepec 👏#LIVGolfMexicoCity@rippergc_pic.twitter.com/au3zC0lKpZ

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 28, 2025

But his heroics couldn’t get Ripper GC back on top of the podium as Smith struggled and a 17th hole bogey, his third in a round of two-over 73 cost him victory on two fronts.

Ripper GC finished second on the team standings, as did Herbert on the individual leaderboard, after his eight birdies and an eagle sequalled the course record at Club de Golf Chapultepec, held by Jon Rahm, and earned a payday close to $3 million.

He said idea of breaking 60 was on his mind, but so was major entries which he could have achieved with a win.

“The last five or six holes, literally everything went through my mind,” he said.

“I could shoot 59, I could win the tournament, Ripper could win from a team perspective, I could make a bunch of money, I could win and get into the spots for the U.S. Open and British Open.

“I did everything I could. I thought I played great golf. I’m really proud of the way I played.”

But Smith, who has only had two top-1o finishes on the LIV tour in 2025, finished five shots behind Niemann, who won for a third time in 2025, including a stirring in Adelaide, in a tie for fifth.

Smith has tumbled to 131 on the world rankings, even behind the likes of PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips (117) among the Australians.

While he has been part of a string of team titles with Ripper GC, including the last LIV event in Miami, his individual winless drought has been stretched to 20 months.

“It’s disappointing not to win, particularly through a season,” he said.

“I think it’s definitely on everyone’s radar. I wouldn’t say it’s a goal really, but it’s nice to do.”

Cameron Smith couldn’t get going in Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

The Queenslander’s exemptions into the majors, courtesy of his 2022 British Open win, among the few tournaments he can earn rankings points, will soon dry up.

Niemann’s win also earned the Chilean a ticket to the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in June courtesy of a new exemption for LIV rankings leaders.

Playing in just his ninth PGA Tour event, Vilips surged into contention on the final day of the Zurich Classic with partner Michael Thorbjornsen at the only team’s event for the season.

But a cruel double-bogey on the 17th hole cost them a chance at victory, instead finishing in a tie for fourth, three shots behind winners Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin.

Originally published as Cam Smith couldn’t put missed Masters cut to bed after Sunay LIV struggle in Mexico as Lucas Herbert blitzed