Cam Smith in form ahead of Australian PGA Championship defence
Cam Smith in action this week – image Paul Lakatos
Cam Smith is just one shot off the pace at the Hong Kong Open, the two-time winner on the LIV Golf Tour in 2023, trailing only Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai at the halfway stage of the Asian Tour event at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
Smith, who last played an individual LIV Tour event in Jeddah a month ago although he was in the teams event in Florida three weeks ago, followed up his opening round of 63 which had given him a share of the lead on Thursday with a round of 66 today and heads into the weekend in a great position to win his first Asian Tour title.
With just two weeks to go before Smith attempts to defend his Australian PGA Tour title at Royal Queensland, his form over the opening two rounds shows his game is in good shape to win a third Australian PGA Championship title having won his first two at RACV Royal Pines.
Smith, finished second on the individual LIV Golf rankings behind American Talor Gooch in 2023, played in this event in 2014, the year after he turned professional, and tied for ninth – providing a snapshot of what was to come.
“It’s been a long time since I have been here. It’s probably been too long,” said Smith, who played just the one season on the Asian Tour.
“Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities, the golf course speaks for itself and the Asian Tour is on the up, and I love it.”
Just one shot further back and tied for 4th is yet another Australian in Harrison Crowe, the former NSW Open and Asia Pacific Amateur Champion who earlier this year played in both the Masters and the Open Championship courtesy of his win at the Asia Pacific.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell is also tied for 4th after his second round of 64, continuing some good recent form in Asia for the Queenstown-based 32-year-old.
