Search

show me:

Smith ponders Reed shoulder during Cup

3 minute read

Australian Cameron Smith says he's not sure why he had been shouldered by American Patrick Reed during the Presidents Cup golf, feeling he'd done nothing wrong.

CAMERON SMITH celebrates winning Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines Resort in Gold Coast, Australia.
CAMERON SMITH celebrates winning Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines Resort in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Cameron Smith doesn't understand why he had been shouldered by controversial US golfer Patrick Reed but prefers to talk about his bittersweet Presidents Cup debut.

Smith and Reed's bad blood bubbled over on the opening day after the Texan walked off the fifth green and targeted the Australian, clashing shoulders.

Smith, who was watching after being left out of day one's play, said he wasn't sure why.

"Yeah, I'm not really sure what it was about, to be honest," Smith said.

"I mean, I haven't said anything wrong.

"I just don't want to really talk about it anymore," he said.

"I think it's all said and done - let's just get on with our job and try and play the Presidents Cup."

Their friendship turned sour last week after Smith described Reed's actions in a bunker at a tournament as cheating and his justification as "bulls**t".

Smith did his best to make it about the golf on Friday, combining with young Korean Sungjae Im to tie with US duo Gary Woodland and Rickie Fowler.

The world No.58 said he was "amped" after being made to wait an extra day to play, and that was evident in his start.

With the format requiring alternate shots, Smith iced the first two holes.

Smith chipped in to birdie the par-4 first and repeated the impressive feat on the par-5 second, rolling in an eight-metre putt from off the green for his team to go two up.

That lead alternated between one and two until the the 17th when the Americans levelled with a birdie and Im's match-winner on the last just missed the mark.

Smith said he was pleased with his debut.

"We played really well all day and we stuck to our guns," the 26-year-old said.

"Rickie and Gary played really good golf the last four or five holes to get it back to square, and we almost got them there on the last.

"I think it was a good day."

Reed's misery continued with his second loss, with he and Webb Simpson falling short against Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer.

The 2018 Masters champion came in for plenty of taunts from the bulging galleries at Royal Melbourne.

Reed gave as good as he got when he sank a birdie putt on the 11th and put his hand to his ear as if to ask the crowd where his cheers were before motioning shovelling.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au