ADELAIDE RECAP: SMASH GC LOOKS TO MOVE ON FROM THE GRANGE

It wasn’t exactly the way Smash Golf Club wanted to end the week at LIV Golf Adelaide, but the season-long goal of winning a team championship and its prominent place in the standings remain unchanged.

Smash GC finished 11th on the team leaderboard at The Grange Golf Club but stands in sixth place in the season-long team standings, a position that will allow it to make a major move as the season progresses.

The team was behind the eight ball early as teammates Graeme McDowell and Jason Kokrak shot 3-over 75s on Friday when seemingly the entire field was going low. With Talor Gooch and Captain Brooks Koepka posting under-par scores of 67 and 70, respectively, the team had to count one of the 75s, putting the team down the leaderboard entering the weekend.

Saturday proved to be the most positive point to take from the week. With scoring conditions ripe for the taking, Smash GC took full advantage. The team combined to shoot 16 under for the day, which was just two shots back from Round 2’s best team score (Ripper GC, 18 under).

Leading the way on Saturday were Koepka and McDowell, who both shot 6-under 66s to pair with Gooch’s 4-under 68 and Kokrak’s 3-under 69. It was the epitome of team golf and reminiscent of what Smash GC has done at times in 2024, including its team victory at LIV Golf Las Vegas.

McDowell showed nice bounce-back skills with his Saturday 66, but it was Koepka who was most impressive on the weekend. The five-time major champion shot a combined 12 under on Saturday and Sunday to help him to a T-9 finish. It was all the more impressive considering he was tied for 29th after Round 1.

While the team’s finish in Adelaide was its worst of the season, expect a rebound. This team has the aforementioned team win this year and a third-place podium finish. Consider it a blip on the radar entering LIV Golf Singapore.