By Matt Smith
Cameron Smith is a step closer to the perfect homecoming after opening up a three-stroke lead going into the final round of the Australian PGA Championship, co-sanctioned by the PGA of Australasia and the DP World Tour.
The Australian was back on home soil for the first time in three years at Royal Queensland GC in Brisbane this week, and a shaky 69 was still enough to open up some daylight on the chasing pack on Saturday.
Smith managed six birdies and four bogeys to finish on 11-under, with Liu Yanwei of China and Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura were tied for second, three back. Four others, including Australians Min Woo Lee and second-round leader Jason Scrivener were at 7-under and four behind Smith.
“I felt hot and really good that front nine,” said Smith. “Just frustrated with a few things on the back nine but in those conditions I would have taken two-under at the start of the day.
“I still get nerves but I’ve got better at handling them. Winning a third [PGA] would be nice and a shot at the Australian Open next week would be a really good end to a great year,” he said.
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