Cameron Smith is more leader in Bedminster

• golf

Australian Cameron Smith shot a four-under-par 67 on Saturday to stay on top of the standings after two rounds of action at Bedminster's LIV. Sergio García, for his part, improved his performance from the opening day, but he is twenty-fifth as the best of the three Spaniards participating in the tournament.

Cameron Smith, results

Smith, who trailed Charles Howell III by just one shot after the first round, racked up seven birdies on Saturday to open a four-shot lead over Phil Mickelson and South African Dean Burmester. Smith currently sits at 9-under 133 at Trump National Golf Club.

Mickelson signed a 67, while Burmester scored a 68. After his double bogey on the par-4 third hole, Smith calmed down. He was perfect aside from his bogey on the par-3 14th hole and finished his round counting birdies on five of the last seven holes.

"Yeah, I probably had to dig a little deeper (on Saturday)," Smith said. "It was still good with the longer stuff, but it wasn't as good as (Friday). I think, particularly in the middle of the round, there was some sand savings to keep the momentum going that was good." Burmester finished strong as well, birding three of his last four holes to stay clear of Smith.

"Who knows what can happen (Sunday). You have to go out there and win this," Burmester said. "They're not going to give it to you, not even on this golf course, so four shots can end up in four holes pretty quickly." Indian Anirban Lahiri made the low round of the day with a 7-under 64 to move up twenty-eight places in the standings and tie for fourth.

He made a couple of bogeys but countered them with nine birdies. Patrick Reed (70) and Bubba Watson (69) also rank fourth. Further back are the three Spanish participants. Sergio García is tied for twenty-fifth at +2 after two birdies and a bogey in the second round.

With +3 he is followed, thirty-second, by David Puig who signed an eagle, four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey this Saturday. For his part, Eugenio López-Chacarra is forty-second with +8 after four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey in the second round.