In-form LIV Golf star suffers nightmare build-up ahead of the US Open at Pinehurst

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In-form LIV Golf star Cameron Smith has endured a nightmare build-up to this week’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.

The most challenging major of the year returns to the North Carolina venue for the first time in ten years – and Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to land his sixth win of 2024 and third major championship.

The American is coming off a victory at the Memorial after edging out Collin Morikawa during a pulsating final round at Muirfield Village.

Alongside the PGA Tour signature event, LIV Golf’s first Texas competition took place at the Golf Club of Houston.

Carlos Ortiz took the title, edging out Adrian Meronk and hometown favourite Patrick Reed. It was a relatively low-scoring affair in LIV’s inaugural Texas stop, but that wasn’t the case for Smith.

Nightmare preparation for Cameron Smith ahead of the U.S. Open

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Smith has been one of the standout performers of the 2024 LIV Golf season.

The Aussie sits tenth in the individual standings and has two runner-up finishes, coming in Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, things didn’t quite go to plan for the 2022 Open champion on Sunday.

Staring on the sixth hole, Smith was four-under-par through his first ten holes. However, a bogey on the 16th was followed by a double bogey on the 18th – and things were only going to get worse for the 30-year-old.

A par on the first hole was followed by three consecutive double bogeys and one triple bogey on his final hole to leave the Aussie on four over after carding an eight-over-par round of 80.

It’s hardly the ideal way for Smith to prepare for the U.S. Open.

Cam Smith must improve ahead of fierce Pinehurst test

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Dropping nine shots in the space of four holes clearly displayed Smith’s inability to put the previous shot behind him in Houston.

For whatever reason, things went from bad to worse in LIV’s most recent event, and Smith cannot repeat his Houston nightmare at Pinehurst.

Every player will be tested at the North Carolina course, and looking to bounce back and make the bad shots a thing of the past is non-negotiable to become a U.S. Open champion.

Before his outing in Houston, Smith would’ve been tipped as one of LIV’s best chances of victory. Now, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka will once again lead the breakaway league’s charge.