Cameron Smith claims thrilling win at The Players Championship

Cameron Smith secured one of the game’s biggest prizes after sealing The Players Championship, which featured storm delays and near freezing temperates before concluding in delightful sunlight at TPC Sawgrass on Monday.

The 28-year-old, who becomes the fifth Australian to win the PGA Tour’s flagship event, sunk 10 birdies en route to posting a six under par 66 to win on 13 under and claim the whopping $3.6m cheque for first place.

The Australian wasn’t even prioritising golf in the lead up to the tournament after reuniting with his mother and sister for the first time in over two years because of travel restrictions in Australia from the pandemic.

The two, along with his best friend, were waiting to congratulate him after walking off the 18th green.

“The win is huge – it’s going to take a while to sink in I think,” said Smith. who moves up to sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“It’s cool being here in Jacksonville – I live here now, I call this place home and I had a lot of fans out there rooting for me today.

“I haven’t seen my family in two years, it’s really cool to have them here. My main priority really was just to hang out with them, and golf was second for these few weeks, so it’s nice to see them – and nice to get a win for them.”

Anirban Lahiri, who had held the 54-hole lead, finished one stroke back in second while Paul Casey carded a 69 to end third on 11 under.

“I just played a really, really good round of golf in difficult conditions around Sawgrass,” said Casey. “Shot 69 with one bogey and some breaks that didn’t go my way.

“You have to tip your cap at Cam, who played phenomenal golf. He won this tournament. There was no losing it, he flat out won it and you have to respect that.”

Kevin Kinser posted back-to-back 68s to grab fourth spot ahead of Keegan Bradley while Scotland’s Russell Knox claimed a share of sixth after a two-under 70.

Viktor Hovland narrowly missed out on world No 1 after finishing in the share of ninth that included Dustin Johnson, who jumped up the leaderboard when a final-hole eagle saw him equal the course record with a nine-under 63.

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