British Open champion Cameron Smith stormed up the leaderboard at the Australian PGA Championship on Saturday, carding a sizzling 6-under par 65 to grab a share of the lead before heavy rains brought an early end to the second round at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane.
The 29-year-old Aussie superstar, fresh off his maiden major triumph at St. Andrews in July, birdied three of his first four holes to quickly make his presence felt in the weather-disrupted event, which has now been reduced to 54 holes and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, weather permitting.
Smith’s stellar performance lifted him to 10-under par for the tournament, level with compatriot and overnight leader Elvis Smylie, the son of former Australian tennis pro Liz Smylie. Smylie followed up his opening 65 with a solid 67 to maintain his place atop the star-studded leaderboard.
Fellow Aussies Leishman and Day in Pursuit
Hot on the heels of the leading duo is another Australian great and Smith’s LIV Golf League teammate Marc Leishman, who posted a 66 to sit just one stroke adrift at 9-under par. Leishman, a six-time winner on the PGA Tour, is looking to add to his impressive resume with a victory on home soil.
Former world No. 1 Jason Day, making his first start in his native Australia in seven years, remains in contention despite a relatively quiet round of 69. The 35-year-old, who has battled back injuries in recent years, lies four shots off the pace and will need a strong weekend push to challenge for the title.
Title Defense an Uphill Battle for Min Woo Lee
Defending champion Min Woo Lee faces an uphill battle to retain his crown after a disappointing 73 left him eight strokes behind the leaders at 2-under par. The 24-year-old rising star will need to summon some of the magic that propelled him to a thrilling playoff victory over Ryan Fox last year if he hopes to mount a successful title defense.
Mixed Fortunes for LIV Golf Stars
While Smith and Leishman are flying high, it was a day of mixed results for other LIV Golf League competitors in the field. Australia’s Lucas Herbert, fresh off his win at the New South Wales Open last week, fired a 66 to move to 5-under par, five shots off the lead. However, the 2020 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year was far from satisfied with his performance, lamenting missed putts and “loose” tee shots that left him scrambling on the soggy layout.
“Feels weird to sit here and complain about shooting 5-under, but here I am,”
– a frustrated Herbert said after his round.
Meanwhile, 2004 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, another LIV Golf League member, carded a 68 to join Herbert at 5-under par, keeping his hopes of a fairytale victory alive as he winds down his illustrious career.
Race to Dubai Implications
With the Australian PGA Championship serving as the first event of the 2025 European Tour season, a strong showing this week could prove crucial for players looking to get a jumpstart on the Race to Dubai standings. A win would not only secure a lucrative payday but also valuable points that could pay dividends as the season unfolds.
As the tournament heads into its final round on Sunday, all eyes will be on Smith and Smylie to see if they can maintain their lofty perch atop the leaderboard. With a host of talented pursuers nipping at their heels and the ever-present threat of Mother Nature looming, the stage is set for a dramatic finish at Royal Queensland.
Golf fans will also be keeping a keen eye on next week’s action, as many of the same stars will make the journey south to Melbourne for the time-honored Australian Open. In a unique twist, the men’s event will be held concurrently with the Women’s Australian Open, with the tournaments unfolding on the famed sandbelt courses of Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club.
As the 2025 golf season kicks into high gear, one thing is certain: the world’s best players are ready to showcase their skills and determination in pursuit of glory, no matter what challenges the weather or the course may bring. With storylines aplenty and no shortage of star power, it promises to be a thrilling ride for golf enthusiasts around the globe.
