Smith holds on to win LIV Golf event for first title of the year
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HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England — British Open champion Cameron Smith held on to win his first tournament of the year Sunday, closing with a 3-under-par 68 to win LIV Golf-London by one shot over Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman.
The victory came less than two weeks before Smith defends his British Open title at Royal Liverpool. It was his first win since the LIV Golf-Chicago event last September.
Smith led Reed by six shots at the turn when the American made six birdies on the back nine at Centurion Club and closed with a 65. Reed failed to birdie the par 5s on Sunday.
Smith was two shots ahead playing the par-5 18th and made bogey. Reed made par, and Leishman birdied the final hole for a 66 to share second place with Reed.
In the team competition, Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces rallied to win by one shot over Ripper, the team led by Smith. The 4 Aces had Reed, Johnson (67) and Pat Perez (66).
Smith finished at 15-under 198 and pocketed $4 million for the individual title. Next up is Royal Liverpool.
Smith is among 16 players from LIV Golf who are playing the British Open.