Cameron Smith has fallen just short of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen in the Australian Open, but the LIV golf star is happy to be near the top of the leaderboard
Cam Smith excited for second place finish after rough few seasons(Image: Getty Images)
LIV star Cameron Smith hasn’t had notable success since signing with the Saudi-backed circuit, but now he’s responding after a near miss at the Australian Open. Smith was the hometown favorite to earn the trophy at the Australian Open, and fell just short against Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
Smith was looking for redemption when he forced a playoff, as the 2022 Open Champion had the chance to earn his first win in two years. His opponent sealed the win after his par on 18, and Smith was just glad he found himself near the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had this feeling to be honest,” he said. “I love that it’s the Australian Open. I couldn’t think of a better place to get back into form. It would shut a few people up.”
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Smith has won the Australian PGA twice and has ended his streak of missing seven consecutive cuts this year
Neegard-Peterson on the other hand, was beyond excited to earn himself a victory and an invite to the Masters in 2026.
“It’s hard. I’m really at a loss for words. It’s been a battle all day,” Neergaard-Petersen said, who beat out world No. 2 Rory McIlroy and Cam Smith for the trophy. “Even from the outside, you can look calm, but it was a storm inside [for me] all day. But I managed to keep battling and to get it up and down to make that putt on the last. I don’t know what to say, to be honest.”
Cam Smith loses Australian Open
The 26-year-old Dane has climbed rapidly since turning professional in 2023, and just last month he secured the rights to play on the PGA Tour next season.
He also secured the Australian Open crown in front of an incredibly large crowd thanks to McIlroy.
McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, added that he will be back to the tournament after finishing at T14 and is looking forward to his break.
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“It’s been absolutely amazing,” said McIlroy post-round. “I’ve been excited to come back down here for a while.
“Obviously it’s been over 10 years since I played in the Australian Open and I guess just look the scenes out there this week, the crowds, the golf course, they were absolutely incredible.”
