Smith's Come-From-Behind Victory: "Did You See the Death 17th Hole Birdie?"... Im Sungjae Falters at 55th Place

'The 5th Major' The Players Final Day 6-Under Par "4.5 Billion Jackpot", Lahiri 2nd Place Tears, Johnson Tied 9th "9-Under Par Course Record"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Death-defying birdie blast on the 17th hole."

Cameron Smith (Australia) surged with a 6-under-par on the final day of the PGA Tour’s ‘The Players Championship’ (the ‘5th Major’) held at Sawgrass TPC in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,256 yards) on the 15th (Korean time), clinching a one-stroke come-from-behind victory with a total score of 13-under 275. This marks his second win of the season in just two months since the January 2022 Sentry Tournament, his fifth career victory, and true to the world’s richest golf tournament, the winner’s prize was a whopping $3.6 million (44.6 billion KRW).

Smith recorded 10 birdies and 4 bogeys. He started strong with four consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 4, followed by another birdie on the 6th hole (par 4). Although he made bogeys consecutively on holes 7 to 9, he quickly recovered with a second streak of four consecutive birdies from holes 10 to 14. The last two holes were the highlight. On the 17th hole (par 3), he sank a 1.2-meter birdie putt, and on the final 18th hole (par 4), despite his second shot landing in the water, he managed to save par by placing his fourth shot just 1 meter from the hole after a one-stroke penalty.

Cameron Smith is teeing off on the 17th hole on the final day of The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major." Ponte Vedra Beach, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Smith is known for his exceptional strength against the wind. Of his five wins, including the 2020 Sony Open and this year’s Sentry Tournament, two came in Hawaii. This tournament also faced severe weather conditions: heavy rain in the first two days, strong winds on the third day, cold weather on the fourth day, and wind again on the final day. It is remarkable that he posted under-par scores in all four rounds: 3-under, 1-under, 3-under, and 6-under. He earned a dazzling array of rewards including a ticket to the four major championships and a five-year PGA Tour card.

Three-round leader Anirban Lahiri (India) halted his bid for victory, finishing second at 12-under 276 and earning $2.18 million (2.71 billion KRW). Paul Casey (England) finished third at 11-under 277, and Kevin Kisner (USA) placed fourth at 10-under 278. World No. 3 Viktor Hovland (Norway) made headlines off the course by scoring a hole-in-one on the 8th hole (par 3) during his remaining third-round play. He finished tied for ninth at 7-under 281.

Dustin Johnson joined the tie for ninth place, setting a course record at 9-under. He made an eagle shot from 67 yards on the 9th hole (par 5), adding 8 birdies and 1 bogey. His previous day’s 4-over par round was even more regrettable. Defending champion Justin Thomas (USA) remained at even par, finishing tied for 33rd at 3-under 285. South Korea’s Im Sung-jae (24) and Lee Kyung-hoon (31) tied for 55th at 2-over 290 alongside world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.