Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; Cameron Smith putts on the eighth green during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Cameron Smith went on a late birdie blitz in a round of 63 to take a share of the first round lead at the Hong Kong Open on Thursday as the event made its return after a long COVID hiatus.
Australian Smith caught fire from the 12th, rolling in five birdies in six holes to join Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra on seven-under at the storied Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
Coming off a break after the LIV event in Saudi Arabia last month, British Open winner Smith returned to action with eight birdies and a solitary bogey on the par-five third.
The Hong Kong Open returned to the Asian Tour schedule this year after last being played in 2020.
Persons:
Cameron Smith putts, Sam Navarro, Cameron Smith, Smith, Eugenio Chacarra, Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul, Korean Jang Yu, LIV, Chacarra, Patrick Reed, Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Wade Ormsby, Ian Ransom, Simon Cameron, Moore
Organizations:
LIV Golf Miami, Trump National Doral, Mandatory, USA, Hong, Hong Kong Golf Club, British, Oklahoma State University, Hong Kong Open, Thomson
Locations:
Doral , Florida, USA, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Fanling, Korean, Hangzhou, China, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Melbourne