Cameron Smith won one of the most prestigious awards, the claret jug, last month at the 150th Open Championship. Following the victory, Smith now has his sights set on the top spot in the rankings.

“That’s been one of my goals probably since the start of the year is to try to get to that top spot,” Smith said in a statement. “Try and chase it down.”

Smith also recently won the British Open in St. Andrews and is on his way to LIV Golf, where he birdied the last hole for a 67.

Race for the winner

In the FedEx St. Jude Championship, J.J. Spaun birdied a 2-under 68. Meanwhile, Sepp Straka failed to save par for a 68 from the bunker on the 18th.

The Fedex Cup playoffs are essential because the winner will receive $2,7 million, in addition to a guaranteed position in the FedEx Cup Championship at East Lake.

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, missed the cut by one shot in the FedEx St. Jude Championship Playoffs opener, his fourth missed cut of the season.

“I was practicing really hard at home, was playing really well and just showed up and had my worst putting day ever,” Scheffler said in a statement.

As a result, if Smith wins, he will be able to move up to the No. 1 ranking.

However, to achieve it, Smith still has to face a strong contender, the world’s No. 14 player Will Zalatoris. He finished back in the U.S. Open and is yet to win on the PGA tour.

Zalatoris even said in a statement that his fiancee wanted to know their plans if he didn’t make it to the weekend.

“I told her, ‘Let’s cross that bridge when he get there,” Zalatoris said.

Current standing

In summary, Smith is now in a tie for the third position with Zalatoris (65) and Trey Mullinax (66), and Spaun (68) as the leader, and Straka (68) in second place.

Tyler Duncan could be considered for the upcoming playoff event, as he shot 67 and finished tied for sixth. However, he is presently ranked 118 in the FedEx Cup and will not be able to compete in the upcoming BMW Championship next week in Delaware because only the top 70 will be invited.

Smith was previously dubbed St. Andrews’ “champion golfer of the year” after signing with LIV and agreed to join the defectors outside Boston following the Tour Championship.

Smith is the most recent golfer to be linked to a move to the LIV Golf Series. When asked about it, Smith refused to comment, saying he was just concerned with the FedEx Cup.

“I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me,” Smith made a statement on Tuesday.

Smith also claimed that distraction isn’t an issue for him.

“There’s definitely been a few more, but for me, I’m just trying to hit the best shot I can,” Smith remarked.

“That’s what I’m here to do is to hit good golf shots and make birdies.”

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