But the Australian was, like the rest of the field, left trailing after the first round by the brilliance of two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, who opened up a three-shot lead with a flawless, first-round 63 on Friday.
Johnson's eight-under round was the American's best among the 109 rounds he's played on the Saudi-run circuit, and he achieved it despite having suffered with shoulder soreness at the previous week's LIV Hong Kong event.
The 40-year-old American former Master was three shots clear of Spain's Sebastian Munoz, while Smith showed signs of getting back to his best form as he joined a packed group of eight all tied for third after his bogey-free, four-under 67.
Smith is renowned as a magician with his putter but had actually gone into this week's event ranked only 12th best on the strokes-gained-putting-averages.
But on Friday, the wizardry was back as the 31-year-old sank several long putts en route to his bogey-free 67.
"I've worked so hard on my putting in the off-season," Smith said.
"I don't think there's anyone in the world that's hit more putts than me in the last four months. So it's nice to see the putts going in."
Smith hasn't won an individual tournament since Bedminster in the US in August 2023, the last of his three LIV triumphs, but he did enjoy a team success with his Ripper GC Australian colleagues last year.Â
Ripper were lying seventh in the Singapore team event, with the in-form Lucas Herbert just a shot behind Smith after a 68, while Matt Jones shot 72 and Marc Leishman 74.
A solid day for captain @DJohnsonPGA and his team the @4AcesGC_ 😤#LIVGolfSingapore pic.twitter.com/rYHGuzCHwX— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 14, 2025
Johnson's 4Aces team were leading by two strokes, inspired by their captain's display, which had followed his painful week in Hong Kong.
"I couldn't turn my head to the right," Johnson explained. "I kind of just pulled when I was on the through swing, so I was hitting everything left. It wasn't a whole lot of fun."
He received treatment after the Hong Kong second round and his body responded prior to Sunday's final when he shot a 64, but he still finished last for the first time at a LIV Golf event.
Johnson, like Smith, is after his fourth LIV individual crown and could become the first player to win in all four seasons.
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