Cameron Smith has never been interrupted mid-round by a headline act DJ rushing from the galleries to “do a shoey”.
But even after hitting “the worst shot of the day” at the 12th hole, otherwise known as the “Watering Hole” at The Grange on Friday, the Aussie LIV superstar welcomed the intruder, Fisher, who was performing on course, amid what Smith called a “really good day” despite finishing seven shots off the lead.
Smith conceded the overwhelming and fanatical home crowd support, on every hole from the first until his birdie on the last, was even “tiring” but the sort of reception he hopes not only LIV can build on, but he can build on with two rounds to go and Taylor Gooch way out in front after shooting a stunning 10-under 62.
“That first fairway looked pretty narrow,” Smith said, after fans lined the hole from tee to green to start the day.
“It seemed like everyone was on the edge of the fairway. Yeah, it was it was a pretty epic day. It was incredible.
The 12th hole was the place to be. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes
Fans turned out in force to watch Cam Smith. (Photo by Brenton Edwards / AFP)
“Every hole, the support off the tee all the way to the green. To be honest, it was pretty tiring. But no, it‘s a really good day. I’m looking forward to doing this again over the weekend.”
Australian golf fans couldn’t get enough of the sight of the world’s top golfers down under, not to mention the party hole at the 12th and DJ Fisher’s shoey.
These pictures from LIV Adelaide will make a stir overseas, but they should come as no surprise. Australia is a unique market – absolutely starved for any big name presence, still attached to the Norman name, less bothered by KSA influence— Dean Bilton (@Dean_Bilton) April 21, 2023
How good for Australian Golf seeing galleries like we used to have for the Australian Masters… @PGATOUR could’ve created an Australian Tournament on the Sand Belt. We don’t care who puts it on but thanks @livgolf_league 🇦🇺⛳︗ Corey McKernan (@CoreyMcKernan) April 21, 2023
Great crowds and scenes in Adelaide.
Putting everything aside about which product is better and where #LIVGolf money comes from, the @PGATOUR should be watching on and lamenting their USA myopia and just why they didn’t put on events in Australia and other parts of the world.— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) April 21, 2023
How can the OWGR and the Majors see 75k fans and some of the best players in the world playing in a golf tournament, and not acknowledge it…— PGA/LIV Hot Takes (@golfturfwar) April 21, 2023
So cool watching some of the best tear it up at the Grange with @livgolf_league. Finally we can see how good they are on courses we can actually play at! Those are my ProVs in the trees! 🌲ðŸŒðŸ¼#LIVGolf— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) April 21, 2023
@TheRealDisco what do you think of Liv Golf down under using guys like Fisher to promote the product? Smart business in my eyes, look at the crowds âœ”ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Sw6V1mq01q— Luke Smith (@luketsmith90) April 21, 2023
Jed Morgan won an Australian PGA in Brisbane two years ago but even the young Aussie said he’d never experienced anything like day one in Adelaide. He shot a four-over, the second-worst of the day but was still smiling post round.
“That was sick, no other words,” he said.
Only Sihwan Kim, who had a 10th on the ninth hole, posted a worse score than Morgan, carding an 84.
Marc Leishman compared the atmosphere to “being in contention at a major”, and he has been there, losing a British Open playoff in 2015.
“Probably as energetic a crowd I’ve ever played in front,” Leishman said after opening with a one-under 71.
“That rivals being in a contention at a major for sure. It was ridiculous actually, cool to be a part of.”
Smith said the vibe created by the sell-out crowd gave LIV “a lot of confidence and a little momentum” and the Adelaide event was the “benchmark” for the fledgling tour.
“This is probably the best atmosphere infrastructure crowds that we‘ve had. So it’s pretty cool to call that in Adelaide,” he said.
:Cameron Smith after knocking it close on the 18th (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
The reigning British Open champ had a nearly day on course too, missed putts on the back nine robbing him of the birdies which would have really got the crowd going.
But he’s adamant they are coming, even though the atmosphere will follow him all weekend too.
“The main goal still as soon as I am over the ball, I’m really trying to do mine stuff,” he said.
“It‘s easy to get, I think absorbed in that other stuff.
“But I think I did a pretty good job of really knuckling down trying to hit the right shot. I think from a planning standpoint, I think you know, I had two or three lips outs there on the back nine, which was a couple more shot.
“I still feel like I am really in the tournament. It’s just a couple of nice days. I feel like I got a lot of momentum off the back of today and just need those putts to roll in.”
Taylor Gooch of RangeGoats GC blitzed The Grange in Adelaide. (Photo by Jason O’Brien/LIV Golf)
Gooch, who has an Australian caddy, said his round of 59 “came in to the head at one point” during his bogey-free round ands has a new love for sandbelt golf after his first real experience of it.
“If anyone says they‘re not surprised at 10-under, they’re lying to themselves,” he said.
“You know, if there‘s no wind, there’s going to be some low scores out there.
“If you‘re golfing your ball, you can go and make some birdies, but if you’re not, as you can see in the scores, it’s not a cake walk.”
Source: News