Smith, Leishman fall just short after late LIV charges

Cameron Smith has fallen just shy of American Brooks Koepka in LIV Golf’s Singapore tournament.

Australians Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman launched final-round charges  but fell just shy of American Brooks Koepka in LIV Golf’s Singapore tournament.

Koepka finished 15 under with a steely last round at Sentosa Golf Club on Sunday, with Smith and Leishman tied second at 13 under.

Smith’s all Australian Ripper GC also including Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones won the teams event, taking consecutive titles following their success in Adelaide last weekend.

Smith fired a seven-under 64 featuring eight birdies but a bogey on the par 5 7th hole cruelled his chances of catching Koepka.

Leishman shot a 66 and with two holes remaining was within one shot of Koepka, who had slept on a three-stroke lead.

But the Australian drove into the trees on his final hole, then hit a branch trying to escape, leading to a bogey.

Five-time major winner Koepka closed out victory with a two-under 69 to become the first golfer to win four LIV tournaments.

The American’s career earnings on the breakaway tour are more than $A35 million.

Australia’s Herbert (five under) and Jones (one under) were off the pace but their collective feats helped propel Ripper GC to successive titles.

The Australian team finished 32 under, three shots clear of Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC and Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC.

“I knew that we had it in us … this is how we want to keep playing,” Smith said.

“We just keep pushing each other … it’s a really good mix of golfers and personalities.”