'LIV Freshman' Cameron Smith Takes Lead at Chicago Tournament

Smith shoots 2R 4-under par... First win challenge after transfer
'Boston Tournament Winner' Johnson chases in 2nd place, 2 strokes behind

Cameron Smith is teeing off on the 7th hole during the second round of the LIV Golf Invitational Chicago tournament. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hee-jun Jang] Cameron Smith (Australia), ranked 3rd in the world, has secured his first victory opportunity since transferring to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

On the 17th (local time), Smith recorded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par round in the second round of the tournament held at Rich Harvest Farms (par 72, 7,408 yards) in Sugar Grove near Chicago, Illinois, USA. He leads with a two-day total of 10-under-par 134.

Smith moved to LIV Golf on the 30th of last month after finishing the PGA Tour season. Since then, he finished tied for 4th in his debut event in Boston. In this second tournament, he is aiming for a win right away. The prize money for the individual competition is $4 million (55.6 billion KRW).

Dustin Johnson (USA), a 'first-generation transfer' who was leading, made two birdies and three bogeys. He dropped to second place (8-under-par 136), two strokes behind the leader. Johnson won the previous tournament in Boston. If he succeeds in overtaking, he will become the first multiple winner since the launch of LIV Golf.

In the team competition, the '4 Aces' consisting of Johnson, Taylor Gooch, Pat Perez, and Patrick Reed (all USA) are leading with 15-under-par. The Australian team 'Punch,' made up of Smith, Mark Leishman, Matt Jones, and Wade Ormsby, is chasing closely at 14-under-par.

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