Crushers GC’s reserve Travis Smyth had no clue that he would be featuring at LIV Korea. A small encounter with his captain transformed his entire week. 

Smyth was on his way to play in a pro-am when he came across Bryson DeChambeau and was left rather perplexed. Before that, the Australian had just returned to Sydney after playing in the PGA Championship in the US.

However, his weekend party was cut short when he received a call to serve as a reserve at LIV Golf Korea. Smyth, notably, ended up playing.

“Yeah, look, I thought he was choosing me as a reserve if someone were to pull out, so I was walking past, and he's like, hey, we're choosing you this week, on the driving range," Smyth stated. "I was rushing to the pro-am, and he was like, yeah, we're choosing you. I'm like, oh, cool.”

Smyth was not aware of his teammate, Paul Casey’s wrist injury. Taking his place, the Aussie made the most of the opportunity. 

“He was like, yeah, you're playing. I'm like, oh, okay, so if someone pulls out. He's like, 'No, you're playing.' It happened so fast. I just kept walking. I kind of brushed it off,” he added.

Smyth shot rounds of 72, 66, 68, and 67 and ended with the score of 7-under. The 31-year-old finished tied for eighth at the Asiad Country Club and played a crucial role in his team’s victory. 

As Crushers GC defended their LIV Korea title, Smyth became just the 2nd reserve to win a LIV Trophy following Smash GC’s John Catlin. 

 “Yeah. So I felt bad and then played the pro-am and then found out I was playing. Yeah, super grateful, and what an amazing week. Such an amazing experience making friends with these guys, guys that I look up to. It's cool,” said Smyth.

Smyth continued on this season's fine run of form. He has already earned a DP World Tour card for 2027 after winning the PGA Tour of Australasia in March.

With his impressive performance, Smyth received praise from other players, notably from teammate Charles Howell III.

Howell Lauds Smyth’s Performance

Crushers GC teammates Smyth and Howell were two of the four players who finished tied for eighth at 7-under.

“Man, the week that Travis had, shooting those scores around this golf course,” Howell said, as per Fox Sports. “When you're playing for a team, and you're up there at the top, and you're wanting to win, it's just one of the really, really cool things about LIV Golf – and it happens every week.” 

Both supported their captain, DeChambeau, with impressive performances as Crushers GC won a record 10th regular-season team title.

Smyth also sits at the top of the Asian Tour standings and 2nd in The International Series Rankings, in line for a potential contract for LIV Golf in 2027.

Now, the Aussie will feature at LIV Golf Andalucia, filling in for Paul Casey again at Real Club Valderrama.

What are your thoughts on Smyth's performance? Share them in the comments.

Read more at Club Golf.

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Sijo Paul