Cam Smith finishes in tie for third at Queensland PGA as Phoenix Campbell makes successful title defence

Cam Smith is adamant his golf is in a “really good spot” ahead of the two Australian “majors” after finishing in a tie for third at the Queensland PGA Championship at Nudgee.

The LIV star shot a final-round 70 to finish the event three strokes behind winner Phoenix Campbell, who successfully defended his title by edging out Jak Carter on the second playoff hole after both players were locked at 11-under after 72 holes.

Smith started the day three shots adrift of Campbell, and back-to-back birdies on the first two holes had many believing the tournament drawcard and 2022 British Open champion was set for a sizzling Sunday.

However, he then dropped three shots over the next two holes, including a double-bogey seven on the par-five, 525m fourth.

Smith rebounded to birdie another three holes on the front nine, but the gap between him and front-runners Campbell and Carter proved a bridge too far.

“Probably one bad swing and a bad putt there, on the fourth, just kind of killed the momentum,” he admitted.

“It was just kind of a grind from there. I kept making birdies throughout that front nine and kept hitting really nice shots on the back nine as well, and just couldn’t take advantage of them … just a ton of missed putts.”

“I definitely thought I had a chance today, especially with that bit of a hot start.

“It’s just frustrating. I just couldn’t capitalise on those putts on the back nine.”

Smith’s next event is the NSW Open, which starts on Thursday week. That will be followed by the Australian PGA (Royal Queensland Golf Club, November 21-24) and the Australian Open (Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs, November 28-December 1).

“Everything’s feeling really nice. It’s nice to play four rounds of competition and feel the juices flow again. I’ll take a bit from that,” the former world No.2 said after his first event since late September.

“I feel like my game’s in a really good spot. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Victorian Campbell, whose playoff win after his final-round 70 resulted in him becoming the first player to win back-to-back Queensland PGA titles since Lucas Parsons in 1997 and 1998, said Smith’s presence in the field “changed the event”.

“The last two days especially, with people and the crowds, just managing that, it was different to what you’d normally see in the final group with so many people (watching) the group in front,” said 23-year-old Campbell, who was an amateur when he won the event at the same course last year

“Defending (the title) is definitely tougher. Last year I came from the clouds. I can’t compare myself to last year but it shows how far I’ve come in the last 12 months, and that I’m on the right track.”

Meanwhile, Smith said he was unaware of reports of an imminent peace deal between LIV and the PGA Tour.

“I haven’t got a call from anyone. I haven’t heard of anything, so I don’t know,” he said.

“They can really do what they want. I feel like LIV Golf is in a really solid spot, and we’re going from strength to strength, and that’s my main focus. Everything’s looking good.”

Queensland PGA Final Round Leaderboard

-11: Phoenix Campbell (VIC), Jak Carter (SA) (Campbell won on second playoff hole)