Adam Scott equals the course record at Cathedral Invitational

Adam Scott and Cameron Smith couldn’t lift a major Australian trophy in the past two weeks but their quest has continued in style.

Adam Scott is leading the Cathedral Invitational (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) /

There’s no world ranking points on offer but Cameron Smith saved his best for last in his 2023 homecoming as he and Adam Scott carved up the course at the Cathedral Invitational as the fledgling tournament continued to make an imprint on the summer schedule.

Being staged for just the second-time at the Greg Norman designed Cathedral Lodge course about three hours drive from Melbourne, this year’s line-up boasts three major champions in Smith, Scott and 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy with officials ambitious about the growth of the event.

The presence of Smith’s LIV teammate, Marc Leishman, and an increasing calibre of female players this year highlighted by rising stars Grace Kim and Steph Kyriacou, who finished tied for fifth at last weekend’s Australian Open in Sydney, gives extra kudos to the two-round tournament where the prize money is $300,000.

Chasing a good end to 2023 less than the $100,000 winner’s cheque, Scott took his final day form from the Open, when he grabbed the lead before an out-of-bounds drive cruelled his chances, to the signature Victorian layout equalling the course record nailing 10 birdies, punctuated by a single double-bogey, in an eight-under round of 64.

A joy to watch with putter in hand! 🧙‍♀️

Cam Smith finishing the front nine in style 👏@PGAofAustralia | @GolfAustpic.twitter.com/95QFvSib0I

— Cathedral Invitational (@CathedralInvit1) December 5, 2023

Adam Scott and Cam Smith with pure strikes on the opening hole. 👌

It really is a joy to watch these two do their thing! pic.twitter.com/Be6fsSabj0

— Cathedral Invitational (@CathedralInvit1) December 5, 2023

Early birdie for @AdamScott on 4th 👊 pic.twitter.com/2GevdhPEjK

— Cathedral Invitational (@CathedralInvit1) December 5, 2023

Smith, who carried frustration with him as he missed the cut at the Australian PGA and got better with 16 birdies across four rounds at the Open, mixed with 10 bogeys, lapped up the perfect scoring conditions and the tamer surroundings on Tuesday.

He got in on the birdie action, nailing eight, and just a single-bogey in his round of seven-under 65 to sit just below Masters champion Scott after the first round.

Ogilvy also turned back the clock with bogey-free round of six-under 66. to give the tournament an incredible opening round leaderboard.

Scott, who also played the inaugural event in 2022, has high hopes for the growth of the tournament, which organises hope becomes a mainstay of the Australian golfing landscape.

“We certainly shouldn’t be afraid of taking a few chances on things and seeing how it works out,” Scott said.

“We are pretty slow in the golf industry generally to make changes. I have to credit anyone who is willing to take a chance ... and I think this is a great chance to let this event grow organically through word of mouth.”

The Cathedral Invitational will conclude on Wednesday.