Cameron Smith falters as Talor Gooch storms to LIV lead in Adelaide
Everyone came to see Cameron Smith in Adelaide but a worrying form trend left them all a bit flat.
Cameron Smith has never been interrupted mid-round by a headline act DJ rushing from the galleries to “do a shoey”.
But even after hitting “the worst shot of the day” at the 12th hole, otherwise known as the “Watering Hole” at The Grange on Friday the Australian LIV superstar welcomed the intruder, Fisher, amid what Smith called a “really good day” despite finishing seven shots off the lead.
Smith conceded the overwhelming and fanatical home crowd support, on every hole from the first until his birdie on the last, was even “tiring” but the sort of reception he hopes not only LIV can build on, but he can build on with two rounds to go and Talor Gooch way out in front after shooting a stunning 10-under 62.
“That first fairway looked pretty narrow,” Smith said, after fans lined the hole from tee to green to start the day.
“It seemed like everyone was on the edge of the fairway. Yeah, it was it was a pretty epic day. It was incredible.
“Every hole, the support off the tee all the way to the green. To be honest, it was pretty tiring. But no, it’s a really good day. I’m looking forward to doing this again over the weekend.”
@TheRealDisco what do you think of Liv Golf down under using guys like Fisher to promote the product? Smart business in my eyes, look at the crowds âœ”ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Sw6V1mq01q
— Luke Smith (@luketsmith90) April 21, 2023
Jed Morgan won an Australian PGA in Brisbane two years ago but even the young Aussie said he’d never experienced anything like day one in Adelaide. He shot a four-over, the second-worst of the day but was still smiling post round.
“That was sick, no other words,” he said.
Only Sihwan Kim, who had a 10th on the ninth hole, posted a worse score than Morgan, carding an 84.
Marc Leishman compared the atmosphere to “being in contention at a major”, and he has been there, losing a British Open playoff in 2015.
“Probably as energetic a crowd I’ve ever played in front,” Leishman said after opening with a one-under 71.
“That rivals being in a contention at a major for sure. It was ridiculous actually, cool to be a part of.”
Smith said the vibe created by the sell-out crowd gave LIV “a lot of confidence and a little momentum” and the Adelaide event was the “benchmark” for the fledgling tour.
“This is probably the best atmosphere infrastructure crowds that we‘ve had. So it’s pretty cool to call that in Adelaide,” he said.
The reigning British Open champ had a nearly day on course too, missed putts on the back nine robbing him of the birdies which would have really got the crowd going.
But he’s adamant they are coming, even though the atmosphere will follow him all weekend too.
“The main goal still as soon as I am over the ball, I’m really trying to do mine stuff,” he said.
“It‘s easy to get, I think absorbed in that other stuff.
“But I think I did a pretty good job of really knuckling down trying to hit the right shot. I think from a planning standpoint, I think you know, I had two or three lips outs there on the back nine, which was a couple more shot.
“I still feel like I am really in the tournament. It’s just a couple of nice days. I feel like I got a lot of momentum off the back of today and just need those putts to roll in.”
Gooch, who has an Australian caddy, said round of 59 “came in to the head at one point” during his bogey-free round ands has a new love for sandbelt golf after his first real experience of it.
“If anyone says they‘re not surprised at 10-under, they’re lying to themselves,” he said.
“You know, if there‘s no wind, there’s going to be some low scores out there.
“If you‘re golfing your ball, you can go and make some birdies, but if you’re not, as you can see in the scores, it’s not a cake walk.”
LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 1
10-under Talor Gooch
6-under Richard Bland, Dean Burmester
5-under Pat Perez, David Burmester, Brendan Steele, Bernd Wiesberger, Graeme McDowell
THE AUSSIES
3- under Cameron Smith
1-under Marc Leishman
Even-par Matt Jones
4-over Jed Morgan
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