'Australian Duo' Smith-Richman: "We Are the Best in Two-Person Team Matches"... Lee Kyung-hoon Ranks 23rd

Zurich Classic First Playoff Hole 'Winning Par', Oosthuizen-Schwartzel 2nd, 2019 Champs Rahm-Palmer 7th

'Australian duo' Cameron Smith and Mark Leishman (right) are cheering after making a birdie on the 16th hole on the final day of the Zurich Classic. Avondale (Louisiana, USA) = Getty Images / MultiVitz Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "I like team battles."

The ‘Australian duo’ Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman secured a playoff victory. On the 26th (Korean time) at the Avondale Louisiana Golf Club (par 72, 7,425 yards) in Louisiana, USA, during the final day of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic (total prize money $7.3 million), they finished the foursomes (two players alternate shots with one ball) at 2-under par to tie for the lead (20-under par 268). They then faced Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel (both from South Africa) on the 18th hole (par 5) in the first playoff hole, ultimately sinking the winning par.

This tournament is especially known for its ‘two-player team’ format. Above all, it is crucial for the two players to synchronize well. Typically, the strategy is aggressive play in the 1st and 3rd rounds’ four-ball (each player plays their own ball and the better score counts), and a defensive focus in the 2nd and 4th rounds’ foursomes. Smith and Leishman actually powered through with 9-under par on the first and third days, building momentum. On the second day, they shot even par, and started the final day in second place, one stroke behind. They recorded five birdies and three bogeys on the final day.

Hole 16 (par 4) was a highlight. Smith’s tee shot landed in the water, but Leishman chipped in from 7 meters, turning it into a birdie. In the playoff, when Oosthuizen’s tee shot went into the water hazard, Smith and Leishman safely executed a ‘3-on 2-putt’ strategy. The South African team, after Schwartzel took a one-stroke penalty and re-teed, aimed for a big par, but Oosthuizen’s fourth shot landed in a greenside bunker, leading to a double bogey and their collapse.

Smith’s win marks his third career victory, coming one year and three months after the Sony Open in January last year. Notably, his first PGA Tour win was in 2017 alongside Jonas Blixt (Sweden) at what is called the ‘promised land.’ This year, with a new partner, he has shown particular strength in ‘team matches.’ Leishman also earned his sixth career win, following the Farmers Insurance Open in January last year, splitting the $2,138,600 (2.39 billion KRW) prize money evenly.

The 2019 champions Jon Rahm (Spain) and Ryan Palmer (USA) finished 7th (17-under par 271). It is interesting that Cameron Champ and Tony Finau (both USA) dropped to a tie for 17th (14-under par 274) due to a 4-over par slump. Korea’s Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics), paired with Kyle Stanley (USA), finished tied for 23rd (12-under par 276). They challenged the ‘top 10’ from a tie for 9th but fell into the ‘foursomes trap,’ suffering a critical double bogey on the 10th hole (par 4).

Lee Kyung-hoon is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the final day of the Zurich Classic. Evendale, Louisiana, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

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