Cameron Smith of Australia shot a 5-under-par 66 to set the pace after one round of LIV Golf Bedminster on Friday in Bedminster, N.J.
Smith, who won his first LIV title last month at London, leads Charles Howell III by one stroke heading into the weekend at Trump National Golf Club.
The 2022 Open Championship winner from Australia is ranked No. 8 in the world and No. 2 in the LIV standings, just 15 points behind three-time winner Talor Gooch.
“I don’t go to bed thinking about it, but I know (where I stand),” Smith said. “That was part of the reason for the work, the extra work this week. It’s to be the best at the end of the season. That’s what you want to be.
“Sure, you want to win tournaments, but I think proving it over 13 tournaments is much better than one.”
Smith was not yet a member of the…