Australia's Cameron Smith has wasted no time making his mark on the LIV Tour, claiming victory in the Chicago leg this morning and banking the biggest cheque of his career.
With a birdie putt on the 18th, a punch in the air, and wearing the maroon shirt that has now become his trademark, the Queenslander finished three clear of the field in his second event with LIV.
The 29-year-old fired 69 in the final round to finish 13 under and bagged himself $5.95 million ($US4 million).
It is the biggest payday of his career and comes just months after he hoisted the Claret Jug at St Andrews.
"I feel as though I needed to prove to myself and probably more so to other people that just because I've changed tours doesn't mean I'm a worse player for it," Smith said after the win.
"I'm still out here to win.
"That's what we're all here for and hopefully we can keep this going."
Smith under pressure
Smith controversially joined the LIV Tour earlier this year – much to the chagrin of PGA fans – lured to the Saudi-backed venture by a signing bonus rumoured to be in the vicinity of $145 million.
Smith finished tied fourth in this first LIV event in Boston, which he said was some of the most pressure he had been under all year.
When asked how he would celebrate his win in Chicago, Smith said he was in for a "couple of beers".
"We can't fit any beers in this trophy, it'd be a little bit difficult," he said, a throw back to his now famous celebration after winning the Open earlier this year.
"I'm sure it'll be a late night."
