Cam Smith fumbles £3.1m LIV Golf payout after playoff heartbreak in Hong Kong

10 March 2024 , 13:29

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Cam Smith lost out to Abraham Ancer in a playoff (Image: Getty Images)

Cam Smith's wait for a LIV Golf victory in 2024 has continued, after the former Champion Golfer of The Year agonisingly missed out in a three-man playoff at LIV Hong Kong on Sunday.

Smith stormed into contention during Sunday's round, shooting a bogey-free four-under-par at Hong Kong Golf Club. This earned the Ripper GC captain a spot in the playoff following the end of regulation play, joining overnight leader Abraham Ancer, as well as Paul Casey, who holed out from the bunker on his final hole of the day to give himself a chance of the title.

Smith had previously shown his capabilities are the course, having finished as runner-up at the Asian Tour's Hong Kong Open last November.

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Sadly for the Australian star his outing this week proved to be another near-miss following the additional hole. Stood on the 18th tee for a second time, Smith began the playoff with a solid tee shot down the left, leaving him a nice angle into the green away from the water hazard to the right of the putting surface.

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What came next though was far from from the ex-Open champion's best, as he under-hit his approach into the bunker at the front of the green. A wedge shot and two putts followed, to ensure Smith ended the playoff hole with a frustrating bogey. Ancer meanwhile found his form at the right time, birdieing the 18th in style to win his first LIV Golf title.

Cam Smith missed out on his fourth LIV Golf title in Hong Kong (Getty Images)

Whilst it proved to be a frustrating finish for the Ripper GC captain, it was definitely a positive step forward with next month's Masters right around the corner. Smith has struggled to replicate the form he showed in his first full season with LIV in 2023, beginning his campaign with 10th, 20th and 43rd finish in Mexico, Las Vegas and Jeddah respectively.

Since making the Saudi switch in 2022, the former world No. 2 has been one of the breakaway league's most in-form stars, with three LIV titles to his name. Unsurprisingly the 30-year-old has been one of the biggest earners during his time with the Saudi-funded circuit.

In total Smith has raked in nearly £25 million in tournament earnings in just 22 events. The former PGA Tour star had the chance to add another £3.1 million to his career winnings on Sunday, but just missed out following his defeat to eventual champion, Ancer. Smith will be pleased to be hitting form at the right time, as he chases down his first green jacket at Augusta National in April.

Joshua Lees