Cam Smith still in hunt as Hatton holds aces at Valderrama

By Ian Chadband

Cameron Smith is still in the hunt for his first win in over two-and-a-half years but will need a last-round surge to cut down British pacesetter Tyrrell Hatton in the LIV Golf Andalucia event at Valderrama.

Ryder Cup player Hatton maintained his two-shot lead through three rounds after shooting a four-under-par 67 on Saturday, while Australia’s former British Open champ lies five shots adrift in joint-fourth place going into the final round.

“I think it’s going to be really windy tomorrow, it’s going to be a grinder’s type of day out there,” said Smith, after his two-under 69 left him at five under for the tournament, having lost a couple more strokes to the in-form Hatton.

“Tomorrow, I feel like I’m in a position where I can give it a good shot. I just need to kind of hang in there, given the conditions we’re likely to get.”

The 32-year-old Queenslander remains encouraged by his form as he seeks his first triumph since winning a LIV event in Bedminster, USA, back in August 2023.

“Just need much more of the same really,” he said of his last-round challenge.

“I feel like it’s a golf course if you play overly aggressive, it can get away from you really quickly. Just more quality shots, and hopefully a few of those longer putts go in.

“There’s glimpses of brilliance – I just need to kind of make that a little bit more consistent, and then the really good stuff will come.

“I like the golf course. I feel like I like golf courses that frustrate other people. I feel like I’ve got a leg up on that.”

What he needs is the sort of blistering round that Dustin Johnson delivered on Saturday, a seven-under 64 that vaulted him alongside Smith, local hero Jon Rahm (68) and M‌exican Abraham Ancer (67) into fourth.

The former Master, who started his round at No.8, had a dazzling finale, going through the last seven holes in five under, including a hole-in-one at the short third.

Hatton’s the man to catch, though, as he holds a two-shot lead over Thomas Detry (67) and a four-shot advantage over Valderrama specialist Sergio Garcia (68) in third.

“Got off to a great start making birdie on the first hole,” said Hatton, who’s enjoying his first tournament back since his wife Emily gave birth to their first child, a baby girl.

“Well, it’s going to take something good. Obviously Tyrrell is playing amazing, and he’s 10 under,” Garcia enthused when asked about his chances.

Among the rest of the Smith-led Ripper GC team, his great mate Marc Leishman was tied for 12th at one under after a 69 but Lucas Herbert, the day after his hole-in-one, struggled with a 75 that’s left him at three over and Elvis Smylie carded a 73 for a four-over total.