Smith posts record low number and beats big name at Kapalua

KAPALUA, HAWAII » Cameron Smith has a place in the PGA Tour record book for finishing 34-under par, the lowest of anyone in history. Just as important as a number to the unassuming Australian is a name.

Over the final two days at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, and particularly the final two hours Sunday at Kapalua, Smith had to hold off Jon Rahm, the No. 1 player in the world.

They were never separated by more than two shots over the final 28 holes. Smith had to protect a one-shot lead over the final seven holes, with the

Spaniard applying enormous pressure every step of the way.

“I felt like I couldn’t miss a shot, otherwise Jon was going to overtake me,” he said.

Smith never really did. The final act was a putt from just over 90 feet away on the 18th hole, down a ridge and then picking up speed with the grain, knowing that two putts for a final birdie likely would be enough. It settled about 3 feet from the cup, Rahm missed his eagle putt from just outside 50 feet and Smith rapped in for an 8-under 65, the final stroke of a masterpiece.

“Unreal round,” Smith said. “Something I’ll never forget.”

The numbers are what made this most memorable, no matter how predictable. A forecast of occasional showers and tropical gusts gave way to four days of sunshine, very few clouds and even less wind.

The fairways were soft and the greens were pure, a product of rain before this elite field of PGA Tour winners even arrived on Maui.

There was no defense of the Plantation course. The final three rounds featured the three lowest average scores in the 24 years the tournament has been held at Kapalua.

A year ago in typical breezy conditions, Harris English won in a playoff after finishing 25 under. Five of the six years before that, the winning score was 21 under or better.

“When you come to a golf course where the only defense is wind — you expect 20 miles an hour here, and we usually shoot 20 to 26 under and win the tournament — you get the same golf course with no wind, what do you expect?” Rahm said.

“You have 50-yard fairways, soft greens, we’re going to shoot low.”

Rahm had few complaints. He tied the Plantation course record with a 61 on Saturday, and had 66 each of the other three rounds to finish a 33-under par.