CAM HAS GOT ’EM IN A SPIN
included six birdies and an eagle. Just like last year’s champ Collin Morikawa, Smith sharpened his links game in East Lothian with an outing at the Genesis Scottish Open.
That build-up has been priceless for the Queenslander who will start his day three with another ride on his bike before taking a two-shot lead into battle. Smith said: “I think I’ve always done a good job once golf is finished of getting on with life. Don’t take it home with you.
“So I’ll just have a really big sleep in. Then I’ll get on the bike to get the legs moving and get prepared as I normally would every other day.
“It should be good. Being off late, it’s going to be a bit firmer and I would say it’s going to be pretty brutal out there.
“There’s going to be a few more gnarly pins. Being smart out there is definitely going to be the key to staying at the top of the leaderboard.
“I played some really good golf last week at the Scottish Open and it put more pep in my step as my last few tournaments before that one weren’t the greatest.
“It’s just exciting to be leading The Open after a couple of days.”
McIlroy is lurking dangerously along with his Ryder Cup pal Hovland.
The Northern Irishman was roared home in the closing stages last night as the punters hung around to 8.30pm to back him. McIlroy stayed in the hunt with a two-under back nine for 68 and said: “I’m in a good position. That’s all I can really ask of myself.
“I got off to a quiet start but then I sort of came to life. I know I’ve got the game. I just need to go out and play my game over the next two days and that’s all I can do.
“Cam Smith goes out and shoots another two rounds like he did the first two days, I’m going to have a really hard time to win the tournament.
“You just look at where you are on the leaderboard. It’s just about how far you’re back and what the number is and sort of focusing on yourself to try to shoot the best score you can.”
Morikawa missed the cut but Hovland joined McIlroy just one behind second-placed Young when he made three up the last.