Cameron Smith’s resurgence ahead of a massive summer in Australia continued unabated as Sunshine Coast amateur Jack Trent made a stunning PGA TOUR debut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

In a city where fortunes are won and lost on a daily basis Trent’s double-bogey at the 72nd hole could have been costly had he already joined the professional ranks but he will instead move forward with a bank of knowledge that his game can stand up at the highest level.

Beginning his week with a practice round with boyhood idol Adam Scott, Trent could hardly have imagined his maiden PGA TOUR appearance would continue to get better, first making the cut and then momentarily surging into the top 10 courtesy of a third round of 5-under 66.

“The first time I noticed I was in the top 10 was on 16 green after I just shanked it into the water,” Trent said prior to his final round.

With six birdies in his opening 11 holes on Sunday Trent arrived at the final hole tied for 11th but hitting his approach shot into the water led to a double-bogey six and a fall to 26th, ultimately finishing tied for 29th as Kevin Na defeated Patrick Cantlay at the second playoff hole to claim the title.

Attending University of Las Vegas – Scott’s alma mater – Trent ended the tournament at 14-under par but it is the confidence he gained that will prove more valuable than a Vegas royal flush as his career develops.

“Definitely exceeded my expectations,” Trent said.

“My goal at the start of the week was have a successful week, four really solid rounds. I think I did a little more than solid, so I’m really happy right now.

“I guess it just shows that if I play my game and keep my head down I can not only make the cut, but make a lot of birdies and play with some really good players.”

One of those really good players on Sunday was fellow Queenslander Cameron Smith.

Tied for 28th through 54 holes, Smith caught fire late at TPC Summerlin with five birdies in his final seven holes to finish tied for 13th.

With just one top-15 finish since the WGC-Mexico Championship in February, Smith’s extraordinary back nine is hopefully a portent of even better things to come with the Australian Open, Presidents Cup and Australian PGA Championship title defence all ahead of him.

Smith hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation during his final round of 6-under 65 and didn’t miss a putt inside 10 feet, his 1.611 putts per green in regulation ranking fifth for the week.

Birdies at the third and ninth holes saw Smith make the turn in 2-under and then made a putt from 10 feet at the 12th hole to move to 3-under.

After a par at 13 Smith picked up shots from four, six and three feet at 14, 15 and 16 respectively before making another from 10 feet on the final hole.

In his return to Las Vegas Scott had a disappointing final round of 3-over 74, the majority of the damage coming at the par-4 where difficulty in the thick grass left of the fairway ultimately led to a penalty drop and a quadruple-bogey eight as he ended the week tied for 42nd.

PGA TOUR
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada

T13         Cameron Smith 69-64-69-65—267             $US137,083
T29         Matt Jones         68-63-69-70—270             $43,900
T29         Jack Trent            67-69-66-68—270             ———
T37         Aaron Baddeley                67-69-65-70—271             $33,320
T42         Adam Scott         66-67-65-74—272             $25,550
T71         Danny Lee           69-68-71-73—281             $14,280
MC         Rod Pampling    67-72—139
MC         Cameron Percy 72-67—139