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Cameron Smith overcame a tough start to build on his lead with a 4-under 67 in second-round play Saturday, seizing a three-stroke advantage headed into the final round of the LIV Golf event at Centurion Club in London.

“It was just a long day,” Smith said. “I think it takes — it’s always tough to back up a really nice round, and I think that took it out of me, and then again today kind of grinding around and having to think a little bit more than what I wanted to.”

After a bogey-free day on Friday, Smith recorded a pair among his first four holes before stabilizing with five birdies (and no bogeys) among his final 14. Smith had six birdies on the day.

“There’s something about grinding out a good round,” Smith added. “Yeah, it definitely wasn’t my prettiest stuff, but really proud of the way that I hung in there. It could have gone south really quick there … It was nice to kind of keep that momentum going heading into tomorrow, as well.”

Ripper GC teammate and fellow Australian Marc Leishman (69) finished with four birdies to maintain a tie for second place at 9-under and help Ripper stay at the top of the team standings.

“If we can look after the individual, play as well as we can, all shoot good scores, the team stuff will take care of itself,” Leishman said. “Hopefully we can do that. Hopefully I can make a bit of a run at Cam tomorrow and make things interesting.”

Tied with Leishman in second are South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen (63) and Germany’s Thomas Pieters (67).

Oosthuizen’s stellar day included seven birdies and an eagle on the 13th hole, propelling his squad, Stinger GC, into second.

“It caught my eye somewhere where we were I think 11-under and the Rippers were 17, and the next thing I see we were like 21-under and leading,” Oosthuizen said. “Obviously I went through a stretch there where I made a few birdies and an eagle … It’s unbelievable how the leaderboards can change out here with three scores to count.

“With this format tomorrow, you can be three, four behind with a couple of holes to go and you can still do something. It’s very exciting.”

American Patrick Reed is in fifth at 8-under after firing a 64 on Saturday, while Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is in sixth a stroke back after his 66.

Six golfers are tied for seventh at 6-under. Americans Chase Koepka (66), Kevin Na (64), Dustin Johnson (65) and Cameron Tringale (69) are joined by England’s Laurie Canter (69) and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (68).

Reed’s and Johnson’s team, 4Aces GC, is in third place.

–Field Level Media