Together with his Open Championship protection looming in two weeks, Cameron Smith appears to be peaking on the proper time. Friday’s opening spherical at LIV Golf London is the newest piece of proof.

The Ripper GC captain shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 to seize a one-stroke lead over teammate Marc Leishman as LIV Golf made its return to Centurion Membership, the host course for final yr’s inaugural event. RangeGoats GC’s Thomas Pieters is in solo third, three strokes again, whereas red-hot teammate Talor Gooch is in a three-way tie for fourth with HyFlyers GC’s Cameron Tringale and Majesticks GC’s Laurie Canter.

Because of Smith and Leishman, the all-Australian Rippers took the group lead at 13 beneath, with the RangeGoats at 10 beneath. The house favourite Majesticks are in solo third at 8 beneath.

Neither Aussie on the high of the leaderboard competed at Centurion Membership final yr, however they each seemed snug on a sun-drenched day outdoors London.

“Wasn’t a lot unhealthy stuff in there, to be trustworthy,” mentioned Smith, who posted Friday’s solely bogey-free spherical. “… I really feel like I’ve been on this type of development for a couple of months now.”

Smith has completed twelfth or higher in his final seven begins, together with high 10s within the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Though he’s but to win in 2023, Smith is constructing loads of momentum going into Royal Liverpool.

“I believe any event that Cam enters, he’s actually a powerful contender,” Leishman mentioned. “I believe enjoying this week goes to assist him. The wind may be very completely different, I really feel like, in England and Scotland. It’s lots heavier. Getting used to that’s fairly vital.”

Smith navigated the primary six holes, probably the most tough stretch at Centurion, in 1 beneath. Beginning with the ninth gap, he birdied seven of the following 9 holes earlier than settling for par on the par-5 18th. He mentioned the large distinction Friday was getting extra in sync with caddie Sam Pinfold.

“Sam and I labored very nice right this moment, which might be the primary time in a very long time the place we actually caught it out and really talked by means of some pictures,” Smith mentioned. “In all probability one thing that had form of been a lacking piece to the puzzle. It was good to determine that stuff out earlier than one other huge event developing.”

Leishman has struggled to seek out consistency this season however began scorching on Friday. After a par on his opening gap, the twelfth, he birdied six of the following seven holes earlier than reaching the hardest a part of the course.

“Completely happy to lastly get a rating on the board,” Leishman mentioned. “It’s been some time.”

The 2 will play within the leaders group on Saturday with Pieters. However the group forward of them will embody the most well liked LIV golfer in Gooch, who gained his third event of the season final week in Andalucía and opened Friday with 4 birdies in his first 5 holes en path to his eleventh spherical of the season at his goal rating of 67 or higher.

“It was a superb day,” mentioned Gooch, who has gained the final three LIV Golf tournaments held outdoors the U.S. “This golf course isn’t as simple as what Cam simply made it look.”