By Matt Smith
Cameron Smith made history by claiming his third Australian PGA Championship in front of a raucous home crowd at Royal Queensland GC in Brisbane on Sunday.

The Australian — making his first appearance back on home soil for three years due to Covid-19 travel restrictions — delighted the crown with a convincing three-stroke victory in a weather-affected final round for his first triumph since his LIV Golf crown at Chicago in the summer.

The 150th Open Champion was reeled in at the start of the back nine at the PGA of Australasia and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event after a weather suspension due to lightning, but three birdies in five holes restored his three-stroke lead, and the world No. 3 never looked back to finish on 14-under.

Fellow Australian Jason Scrivener and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune finished in a share of second at 11-under after posting rounds of 67 and 65, respectively.

Another home favourite Min Woo Lee was two shots further back in fourth alongside England’s John Parry.

“I really didn’t think I had it in me at the start of the week,” Smith said. “I was a bit scratchy and the game has got better and better as the week went on, other than the front nine today. I just held on and played really solid those last eight holes.”

“I knew that I had to kind of step it up a little bit,” Smith said.

“Obviously Scrivy [Jason Scrivener] is a great player and I knew he’d keep putting the pressure on me. It was a good last seven holes.

“I mean, lots of pressure and the golf course really wasn’t letting up even though it was a little bit softer.”

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