Cameron Smith says his LIV Golf team have made a ‘great addition’ after second team win of 2024 in Singapore

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Cameron Smith has lauded one LIV Golf player after Ripper GC picked up a second consecutive team victory in Singapore.

The 2022 Open winner was Ripper’s standout performer at Sentosa Golf Club, carding a stunning seven-under 64 in the final round to finish two shots back from eventual winner Brooks Koepka.

Five-time major winner Koepka was in ominous form ahead of the PGA Championship at Valhalla, which starts on May 16. World number five Jon Rahm also finished in the top ten maintaining his solid start to life on the breakaway tour.

Smith’s teammate Mark Leishman also enjoyed an excellent weekend on the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, ending on 13 under after carding a final round 66.

Matt Jones and Lucas Herbert, who make up the rest of Ripper GC, finished 37th and 27th, respectively.

Nevertheless, the Aussie team did enough to secure a three-shot victory, ahead of Fireballs and Cleeks, who tied for second on 29-under.

Cameron Smith wowed by Lucas Herbert despite disappointing outing in Singapore

Herbert’s five-under finish wasn’t disastrous. However, the 28-year-old would’ve been hoping to finish closer to eventual winner Koepka.

Ending up ten shots adrift in a 54-hole event wouldn’t have been Herbert’s aim on Friday.

Nevertheless, his captain heaped praise on him after Ripper’s latest team victory.

Smith told LIV Golf’s website: “Herby has been a great addition, obviously. He’s got that young blood in him, and he wants everyone to do well, and he keeps pushing the old boys.”

“I’m very proud of them,” he added.

“I knew that we had it in us, though, and it was just a matter of time. There were probably a few lazy boys over Christmas, to be honest, and it took us a little bit to get going, but this is how we expect to play, and this is how we want to keep playing.”

LIV Golf team aspect continues to go from strength to strength

LIV’s team aspect has added a layer of intrigue to what would generally be a pretty insignificant final round for most of the field

For example, Herbert and Jones knew, before they hit their first shot of Sunday, that they had next to no chance of winning the Sentosa event.

But, due to Ripper GC competing at the top of the leaderboard, thanks to Smith and Leishman’s contribution, the pair’s final rounds were still important.

Had either player dropped shots on their final holes, Ripper may not have sealed back-to-back titles.

The concept definitely makes the competition interesting for the entire field, regardless of their position heading into Sunday.

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