Smith's Comeback Victory: "Did You See the Death 17th Hole Birdie? ... Im Sungjae Slips to 55th (Summary)"

'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"

Cameron Smith is looking at the trophy right after winning THE PLAYERS Championship, known as the "fifth major." Ponte Vedra Beach, USA = Getty Images / MultiVitz

[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 final round on the 15th (Korean time) at the PGA Tour’s ‘Fifth Major’ The Players Championship (total prize money $20 million) resumed at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,256 yards), clinching a one-stroke come-from-behind victory (13-under 275). This marks his second win of the season in just two months since the January 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions, his fifth career victory, and a winner’s prize of a whopping $3.6 million (44.6 billion KRW).

Smith carded 10 birdies and 4 bogeys. He started strong with four consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 4 and kept the momentum with a birdie on the 6th hole (par 4). Although he made consecutive bogeys 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 highlights. 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 saved par by placing his fourth shot just 1 meter from the hole after a one-stroke penalty.

Smith is notably strong against the wind. Two of his five wins, including the 2020 Sony Open and this year’s Sentry Tournament, came in Hawaii. This tournament also faced severe weather conditions: heavy rain in the first two days, strong winds on the third day, cold on the fourth, and wind again on the final day. He posted under-par scores in all four rounds: 3-under, 1-under, 3-under, and 6-under. He earned impressive rewards including a three-year major exemption and a five-year PGA Tour card.

Cameron Smith is preparing for his fourth shot on the 18th hole of the final day at The Players, known as the "Fifth Major." Ponte Vedra Beach, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

It is interesting that this tournament offers the highest prize money in the global golf scene. Smith’s $3.6 million is the largest winner’s prize in golf history. He became the fifth Australian to win The Players Championship, following Greg Norman, Steve Elkington, Adam Scott, and Jason Day. Smith said, "My putting was really good," and added, "The wind on the 17th hole wasn’t as strong as I expected." He expressed his joy, saying, "I’m really happy to win on such a big stage."

Third-round leader Anirban Lahiri (India) saw his bid for victory end in second place (12-under 276), earning $2.18 million (2.71 billion KRW). Paul Casey (England) finished third (11-under 277), and Kevin Kisner took fourth (10-under 278). Russell Henley (USA) made headlines off the course with an albatross on the 11th hole (par 5), and Viktor Hovland (Norway) made a hole-in-one on the 8th hole (par 3) during his third-round remaining play.

Dustin Johnson soared to a tie for ninth place (7-under 281) with a course record 9-under round. He made a 67-yard shot eagle on the 9th hole (par 5), adding 8 birdies and 1 bogey. His previous day’s 4-over round was even more regrettable. Defending champion Justin Thomas (USA) remained tied for 33rd (3-under 285) after an even-par performance. South Korea’s Im Sung-jae (24) and Lee Kyung-hoon (31) tied for 55th place (2-over 290).

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