Cameron Smith (34-under) sets new PGA Tour record with Sentry Tournament of Champions triumph

Cameron Smith (34-under) sets new PGA Tour record with Sentry Tournament of Champions triumph

Australian golfer Cameron Smith outlasted world No 1 Jon Rahm in an exhilarating final-round duel at the Sentry Tournament of Champions to win the opening PGA Tour event of the year in record fashion.

28-year-old Smith, who held the lead for the tournament at the end of play each day, shot an 8-under 65 Sunday to grab the title at Kapalua. In addition, his effort set the PGA TOUR scoring record (-34) for the lowest par score in a 72-hole stroke play event.

Smith smashed eight birdies in his bogey-free final round to claim his fourth PGA Tour title and prize money of $1.476 million.

The World No.1 Jon Rahm, who shot a course record 61 on Saturday, was just one stroke behind Smith with one hole to play, made a birdie on the 18th while Smith also smashed a birdie, and Rahm ended up as a runner up with a closing 66 to finish at 33-under 259.

Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith

Matt Jones of Australia tried to join the race, first shot an eagle on the 13th, then he made a 4-foot eagle putt on the 15th, followed by two consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th to finish third at an overall score of 32-under 260.

Ernie Els had previously set the low PGA Tour record in this very tournament back in 2003 when shooting 31-under par.

Interestingly, only three golfers, Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson, and Jordan Spieth, have achieved 30-under-par in an official PGA Tour event before the start of the inaugural tournament of 2022. However, following the conclusion of the first event on Sunday, that number has been increased to six! With Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, and Matt Jones have all broken the 30-under par barrier.