Cameron Smith’s LIV Golf debut has started in strong fashion with the Australian sitting just one-shot off the lead after one round in Boston.
The world No.2, who joined the Saudi-backed circuit this week for a reported $A140 million, fired a six-under 64, tied with fellow debutant Joaquin Niemann in third.
Americans Matthew Wolff — who fired LIV Golf’s first hole-in-one — and Talor Gooch share the lead at one-under.
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Smith was flying on the front nine, firing three birdies and an eagle in his first eight holes to race out to five-under.
A birdie at his ninth hole stopped his momentum, while he found himself in trouble at the 14th where he made a double bogey after finding the trees from the tee.
But he recovered in stunning fashion across the final four holes, which included a remarkable par-save with three holes to play.
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Smith’s ball came to rest against a tree and beside a cart path. That’s when he cleverly used the rules to work in his favour.
Smith could only access the ball while playing a left-handed shot, but given that meant he was standing on a cart path, it entitled him to free relief.
The Australian then took a free drop and played a stunning draw around the trees, which saw him snap his 52 degree wedge on the trunk.
Nonetheless, the ball came to rest on the fringe and he was able to two-putt to save par, before draining a monster eagle putt at the last to finish his day at six-under.
Asked if the shot was worth breaking a club, he said: “I think so.
“It was basically the only option. Those shots are tricky, you know you’re going to lose a club but it’s worth one to two shots.
“It is what it is. We’ll try to get it fixed up and get on with it. Hopefully Titleist saw that and can send me a new shaft for tomorrow.”
