Cam Smith Sets the Tone as LIV Team Locks In on the Season’s Biggest Challenge
Australian Open Golf 2025 Final Results in Melbourne - 07 Dec 2025 Cameron Smith of Australia seen in action during round four of the Australian Open Golf tournament. The 2025 Australian Open concluded with Denmarks Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen securing the championship at 15-under after a tense final round at The Australian Golf Club. The tournament delivers a dramatic finish, with top international contenders pushing the leaderboard to the final holes. Large crowds gathered across the course as fans watch one of Australias premier golf events come to a close for the year. Melbourne Australia Copyright: xYexMyoxKhantx/xSOPAxImagesx YeMyoKhant_4
Australian Open Golf 2025 Final Results in Melbourne - 07 Dec 2025 Cameron Smith of Australia seen in action during round four of the Australian Open Golf tournament. The 2025 Australian Open concluded with Denmarks Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen securing the championship at 15-under after a tense final round at The Australian Golf Club. The tournament delivers a dramatic finish, with top international contenders pushing the leaderboard to the final holes. Large crowds gathered across the course as fans watch one of Australias premier golf events come to a close for the year. Melbourne Australia Copyright: xYexMyoxKhantx/xSOPAxImagesx YeMyoKhant_4
After beginning the 2026 LIV Golf season as captain of Ripper GC, Cam Smith has set his sights on the season's biggest on-course battle, LIV Golf Adelaide.
On February 8, 2026, Smith led the all-Australian team to the team title at the first LIV Golf event in Riyadh. During the post-event press conference, the 32-year-old stressed the importance of the Adelaide event for the team.
He detailed their mindset and preparation for LIV Golf Adelaide, saying, "Yeah, there's no doubt in our minds that Adelaide is the biggest tournament for us. We prepared coming into, before this week, coming into the season, like it was."
AUSTRALIAN OPEN GOLF PRO AM, Cam Smith of Australia reacts on putting green during practice ahead of the Australian Open Pro Am at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. NO ARCHIVING MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA Royal Melbourne Golf Club PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xJAMESxROSSx 20251202174659940110
AUSTRALIAN OPEN GOLF PRO AM, Cam Smith of Australia reacts on putting green during practice ahead of the Australian Open Pro Am at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. NO ARCHIVING MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA Royal Melbourne Golf Club PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xJAMESxROSSx 20251202174659940110
Smith's words also displayed his and his entourage's restlessness to compete in the tournament. "I can't wait to get there. All the boys are playing great golf. We all feel confident. It's a golf course that I love. I know Herby and Leish love it, as well. I'm sure Elvis is going to love it. It's very typical Australian golf," said the Ripper GC skipper.
LIV Golf Adelaide is scheduled to begin on February 13, and Smith will be looking to end a two-year stretch without an individual win, while also handling expectations from home support.
However, Smith's confidence largely stems from Ripper GC's victory in the season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh, while also setting a new league mark for lowest team score.
Cam Smith and Ripper GC’s 2026 LIV Golf Riyadh Campaign
Smith and Ripper GC finished with a total of 69-under-par for the tournament. In addition, the result was supported by a strong first appearance from the team’s newest member, Elvis Smylie, who won the individual title in his first LIV Golf start.
Smith then linked the current result to building rhythm for the next event, adding, "I just said out there before that we previously in years past haven't started that great, so it's nice to win, but to just get some momentum going forward into our biggest week of the year."
Lucas Herbert finished T9 at 17-under, while Smith placed T13 at 15-under. Marc Leishman closed at T22 with a total of 13-under.
As the event unfolded, Ripper GC’s 69-under team total placed them ahead of Torque GC at 66-under and 4Aces GC at 59-under.
At the same time, Smylie secured the individual title by one shot over Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm. Following the win, the team shared the $3 million winners' prize.
After learning about Smith's confidence, do you think that Ripper GC will be able to replicate their LIV Golf Riyadh at LIV Golf Adelaide?
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Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Souvik Roy