Cameron Smith Loses the Battle, but Positions Himself for the War

There is only one thing this year that has flowed better than Cameron Smith’s hair, and that’s his golf game. To say that he has had a breakout year would be an understatement in a big way.

Consistency has been the key for the 28-year old from Brisbane, Australia in 2021. In 22 events he’s missed just 3 cuts while also getting a win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April, and 8 top tens. Smith had missed at least 6 cuts in each of his last 5 years.

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Smith continued his consistent play this week at The Northern Trust. After torching Liberty National on Saturday with a personal best eleven under 60, Cam positioned himself to maybe win the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

The Aussie was in the final group on Monday with Jon Rahm and Erik Van Rooyen, a sincere thank you to Tropical Storm Henri for postponing the final round so I could able to watch the final round. He was plugging along the rain drenched track until he came to the 6th hole. Smith put his tee shot in the water, eventually put one in the hazard, about an inch fro the water. A double bogey was on the menu there.

A hole like that can derail a player in a big spot, especially playing with the world #1 who seems to have it on lock. Not this year and not this Cameron Smith. He rallied himself and was five under the rest of the way.

Smith got to -20 for the tournament, only to be met by Tony Finau after he finished his round, because Finau was also -20 and a playoff would ensue.

A sudden death playoff was played on the 18th hole. Finau put his tee shot in the fairway, Smith very much did not. Smith picked the worst time to hit his worst tee shot. It went way right and lost, Smith was forced to hit a provisional, and even that went into the bunker, effectively ending his chances to win.

Cam Smith took second place, which I’m sure stings losing in a playoff where you really didn’t give yourself a chance, but it was very productive in other places. He did move up 13 spots in the FedEx Cup standings, surging ahead to 3rd.

Next. 2021 Northern Trust: Winners and Losers at Liberty National. dark

I know Cameron Smith is disappointed that he couldn’t bring home the trophy, but he added to his momentum going into Baltimore next week. He may have lost the battle with Tony Finau, but he is in much better position to win the war for the FedEx Cup.

Onto The BMW Championship at Caves Valley in Baltimore, Maryland for the top 70.

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