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PGA Tour 2022, St. Jude Championship, Will Zalatoris wins playoff, Sepp Straka, final leaderboard, results, video, FedEx Cup, Adam Scott

PGA Tour 2022, St. Jude Championship, Will Zalatoris wins playoff, Sepp Straka, final leaderboard, results, video, FedEx Cup, Adam Scott

Will Zalatoris has claimed his first-ever tournament win on tour, taking out the FedEx St. Jude Championship in a thrilling duel with Sepp Straka on Monday.

With the victory, Zalatoris rockets up to No.1 in the FedEx Cup points and takes home a cool $18 million ($A25m) in prize money.

It was a tight race to the finish, with Straka sinking a birdie putt to get to 14-under and tie Zalatoris for the lead on the 10th.

At that point the pair were two clear of the rest of the pack and just could not be separated, with Zalatoris salvaging pair with a chip shot on the par-4 15th.

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Unlucky two-stroke penalty costs Smith | 00:58

Straka then matched Zalatoris’ birdie on 16 to tie his rival at 15 under heading into the final two holes.

It would come down to the final hole of the round, with Zalatoris coming up clutch to drain a big par putt on 18, leaving Straka needing a birdie to win the tournament.

The Austrian responded with a spectacular shot from rough to put himself in a position to do that but missed the 22-foot putt just to the left, instead settling for par to force a playoff.

Straka took a gamble with a drive towards the water but it landed in the fairway while Zalatoris’ shot was in first cut right.

Zalatoris looked in with a chance of taking the win after a heavy putt from Straka but the Austrian came up clutch to save par and send it to another hole.

Zalatoris was up first on the second playoff hole, hitting it far right near the cart path but just inbounds while Straka’s tee shot went left, pulling up just short of the water and in the rough.

The American responded with a solid layup while Straka decided to take a stroke penalty, following it up with an unbelievable shot to put the pressure on Zalatoris.

The 25-year-old though came up big with a clutch putt to save par, which Straka matched to send the playoff to a third hole.

The drama, of course, was far from over with Zalatoris’ tee shot on the third danced on the rock wall before settling while Straka also sent his right as it bounced into the water.

Zalatoris' ball just stayed in.
Zalatoris’ ball just stayed in.Source: FOX SPORTS

Straka then put his next shot in the bunker, while after an agonizing debate with his team, Zalatoris opted to head to the drop zone.

It proved the right call in the end as Zalatoris hit it close to the hole to successfully putt seven foot for bogey and the win.

It was an incredible turnaround for Zalatoris, who was nine shots back in 86th place after the first round, with it looking more likely he would miss cut than win the whole thing.

Zalatoris’ fiancée even asked him what plans he had for the weekend, seemingly convinced he would not be going much further.

“She meant that in all good fun,” Zalatoris told reporters, later asked what answer he gave her.

“I told her let’s cross that bridge when we get there,” Zalatoris said, and it never came.

Instead, Zalatoris recovered to head into the final round just a few shots off the lead and would later be the winner of his first PGA Tour trophy.

McCarthy makes birdie from a cupholder?! | 01:08

Elsewhere, Cameron Smith’s final round at the FedEx St Jude Championship may not have gone to plan but it was a different story for fellow Australian Adam Scott on Monday.

Scott entered the week at No. 77 in the FedEx Cup, needing to move his way into the top-70 to play in week two and did just that courtesy of a brilliant final round.

The 42-year-old carded a 66 in his final round to move up to 44th in the rankings, qualifying for next week’s BMW Championships as a result.

Scott had stormed to the top of the leaderboard at 11 under midway through the final round but will certainly still settle for Monday’s final result.

Smith finishes 13th in St Jude C’ship | 04:26

“I played really poorly yesterday and somehow shot a decent score and to turn it around and play solid today and give myself a chance to go through, I’m happy with that,” he told reporters.

“I get to play four rounds next week. My golf was been good and I’ve got nothing out of it, I feel like even though I’m not winning this event, I’m getting something out of this week so hopefully that’s good for the confidence going into next week.

“I feel like my game is in a good enough spot that I wasn’t searching for anything this week. It was really about putting my mind to do something and getting it done.

“Sometimes that is the hardest thing at this point in my career, week after week, switching the mind on all the time, floating around on auto pilot some times and that does not get you very far.”

Meanwhile, fellow Australian Smith, who was the betting favorite going into the final round of play, copped a two-stroke penalty in a big blow to his bid to become world number one.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

S1 — Will Zalatoris (-15) — won in playoff

T1 — Sepp Straka (-15)

S3 — Lucas Glover (-12)

S3—Brian Harman (-12)

S5—Trey Mullinax (-11)

S5—Matt Fitzpatrick (-11)

T5 — Tony Finau (-11)

S5—Andrew Putnam (-11)

S5—Adam Scott (-11)

S5—Colin Morikawa (-11)

S5—Jon Rahm (-11)

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St. Jude Championship live leaderboard, scores, Cameron Smith penalty, reaction, rules, explanation

St. Jude Championship live leaderboard, scores, Cameron Smith penalty, reaction, rules, explanation

Australian Cameron Smith was penalized two strokes by US PGA Tour officials, dimming his chances of a victory at the St. Jude Championship to become world number one and putting a dent in his campaign to take out the $25m FedEx Cup playoffs.

World number two Smith started the final round in Memphis, Tennessee, four strokes off the pace instead of only two after the punishment was applied for improper ball placement.

Smith, who has deflected questions this week on reports he will jump to LIV Golf after the PGA playoffs, made the violation on the par-3 fourth hole in the third round at TPC Southwind.

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FINAL LEADERBOARD

S1 — Will Zalatoris (-15)

T1 — Sepp Straka (-15)

S3 — Lucas Glover (-12)

S3—Brian Harman (-12)

S5—Trey Mullinax (-11)

S5—Matt Fitzpatrick (-11)

T5 — Tony Finau (-11)

S5—Andrew Putnam (-11)

S5—Adam Scott (-11)

S5—Colin Morikawa (-11)

S5—Jon Rahm (-11)

Cameron Smith suffered a setback. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP
Cameron Smith suffered a setback. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

Gary Young of the PGA Tour rules staff said that Smith plunked his tee shot into the water on the hole and when he dropped the ball outside the penalty area, it rolled back and came to rest touching the red hazard marking line.

Rules committee members reviewed video replays of the hole and brought in Smith to talk about the infraction.

“At that point, he said yes, my ball was definitely touching the line,” Young said. “He wasn’t aware that no portion of the ball could be touching the line.

“You have to take complete relief from that area.”

The two-stroke punishment boosted Smith’s score from a three-under par 67 to a one-under 69 that left him on nine-under 201 through 54 holes, four adrift of 54-hole leader JJ Spaun.

“He felt it was OK to play it from there but unfortunately the rules say differently,” Young said.

“The rules give the player, as long as the player has shown reasonable judgment in determining whether or not his ball was in or out of the penalty area in this situation with his own naked eye, I thought it was simply going to be a situation where I asked Cam the question and he was going to tell him that he was comfortable that his ball was outside the penalty area.

“When I asked him the question, unfortunately, he said to me, ‘No, the ball was definitely touching the line’. So at that point there’s no turning back. That was a moment where I know that the player has knowledge that the ball was touching the line, he just simply didn’t understand the rule that it requires the entire ball to be outside of the penalty area and in his relief area. So that was the tough part.”

“He just said to me, ‘The rules are the rules.’ I just accepted it and left the office.”

Elsewhere, fellow Australian Adam Scott’s four-under-par 66 took up to the top of the leaderboard at 11 under midway through the final round.

‘Ready to cop some heat’ Smith talks LIV | 00:49

Smith seeks his seventh career PGA title and his fourth of the year after the Tournament of Champions, the Players Championship and taking the Claret Jug last month at St. Andrews.

A victory would vault Smith over Masters champion Scottie Scheffler of the United States to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career.

Smith said his game has not been affected by distractions this week such as numerous questions about his future and reports compatriot Cameron Percy said the Smith has already made a deal to join LIV Golf.

“My goal here is to win the FedExCup playoffs. That’s all I’m here for,” Smith said earlier this week. “If there’s something I need to say regarding the PGA Tour or LIV, it will come from Cameron Smith, not Cameron Percy.

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

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St Jude Championship scores, Cameron Smith, LIV Golf, Aussies in action, latest, updates

St Jude Championship scores, Cameron Smith, LIV Golf, Aussies in action, latest, updates

JJ Spaun birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a two-under par 68 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the US PGA Tour’s St. Jude Championship.

Spaun tapped in to birdie the par-5 16th and holed a 17-foot birdie putt at the 17th then stood alone at the top after Austrian Sepp Straka missed a nine-foot par putt at the 18th at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

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The 31-year-old American stood on 13-under 197 through 54 holes with Straka on 198 after shooting 68.

British Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia fired 67 to share third on 199 with Americans Will Zalatoris and Trey Mullinax. Americans Tyler Duncan and Troy Merritt were another stroke adrift.

However, Smith had to cop some stick from fans as he walked the course.

The tournament opens the FedEx Cup playoffs, three season-ending events with a winner’s prize of $18 million.

Only 125 players qualified on season points and only the top 70 advance to next week’s BMW Championship, where the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

‘Ready to cop some heat’ Smith talks LIV | 00:49

MORE COVERAGE

Aussie Smith on the charge in Tour playoffs despite dark LIV Golf cloud as world No. 1 misses cut

World No. 1 commits ultimate golfing sin on Smith … sparking storm about whether he meant it

‘Ready to cop some heat’: Cam Smith’s big admission over $140m PGA bombshell

Spaun won his first PGA title after 147 tour starts in April at the Texas Open while Straka, who missed six consecutive cuts coming into this week, won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic.

Spaun began with nine pars before a bogey at 10, but sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th and overtook Straka with his closing surge.

After a birdie-bogey start, Straka sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the fifth hole and another from just inside 12 feet at the sixth to seize the outright lead, but he fell back with a bogey at seven.

Straka took the lead alone with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 13th and grabbed a two-stroke lead by sinking a six-foot birdie putt at 15, setting the stage for Spaun’s run.

Zalatoris, still chasing his first PGA Tour victory, was a runner-up this year at the PGA Championship and US Open and last year in his Masters debut.

“I played on the biggest stages in three majors and I felt comfortable in those positions,” he said.

“I haven’t gotten a win out of it yet. Eventually we will and hopefully tomorrow is it.”

LIV golfers still welcome in Australia | 01:46

World number 14 Zalatoris, who turns 26 on Tuesday, has a PGA-high eight top-10 finishes without a victory this season.

“Today was awesome,” Zalatoris said of his 65.

“Tee to green was great and I rolled in a couple nice putts, so I just need to keep that going.”

Zalatoris split with caddy Ryan Goble last week and new caddy Joel Stock has read his putts the past 36 holes.

“It has been great,” Zalatoris said.

“He has been awesome. Obviously it has paid off. He’s doing a good job.”

Mullinax, who shot 66, won his first PGA title at last month’s Barbasol Championship.

He began the week 70th in points, the last spot to advance, but is in position to leap into the top 30.

“Been playing really well,” he said. “Just going out and sticking to the game plan.”

Duncan birdied four of the first six holes to shoot 67.

It has been 77 starts without a top-10 finish for Duncan since his lone PGA victory at the 2019 RSM Classic.

Rickie Fowler found water twice on the way to a quintuple-bogey nine on the 18th hole. He shot 72 to stand on 208, likely dooming his bid to advance in the playoffs.

LEADERBOARD (AFTER 3 ROUNDS)

1st: JJ Spaun -13

2nd: Sepp Staka -12

S3: Will Zalatoris -11

S3: Trey Mullinax – 11

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S6: Tyler Duncan -10

S6: Troy Merritt -10

AUSSIES IN ACTION

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S25: Adam Scott -7

T36: Cam Davis -5

69th: Marc Leishman +3

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FedEx Cup Playoffs; Cameron Smith joins LIV, St Jude Championship, scores, Jason Day

FedEx Cup Playoffs; Cameron Smith joins LIV, St Jude Championship, scores, Jason Day

World No.2 Cameron Smith kept his cool amid a growing storm about his potential defection to Saudi-backed LIV Golf and declared he was ready to “cop some heat” for pre-tournament denials.

The Telegraph this week reported Smith had inked $140 million (AUD) to join the Greg Norman-run league with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman.

Smith was pressed on the report ahead of the start of the FedEex Cup Playoffs and refused to be drawn on it.

“You know, my goal here is to win the FedExCup Playoffs,” Smith said.

“That’s all I’m here for. I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me.”

But after carding an opening round three-under at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the world No.2 said he understood the line of questioning.

“I’m ready to cop some heat. I understand that’s what I’ve said,” Smith told Sky Sports having declared any news on a move would come from him.

“I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs, that’s my number one goal. Whatever happens after that will come from me.”

The comments will likely be interpreted by some as strengthening of the case that he has flawed to the rebel tour which has already signed up the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia.

But while Smith remains in focus Jason Day, who withdrew from last week’s PGA Tour event with illness, carded a bogey-free round of 65 to sit just off the pace in a share of fifth late in the opening round at the $21m St Jude Classic, three shots behind the leaders.

Only the top 70 finishers will progress to the next event and remain in the hunt for the biggest payday in golf, outside of signing a LIV deal.

Day, who hasn’t won since 2018 and has slipped to 147th on the world rankings, said he wasn’t getting lost in thinking too far ahead.

“You’re always just trying like to just blend everything together and hopefully it will click,” Day said.

“I’m not getting too excited about anything right now, just got to stay patient as much as I can because the more and more I start thinking about outcomes and being able to get into next week, it just does nothing for me, or at least anything positive for me.

Cameron Smith had an up-and-down round. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Cameron Smith had an up-and-down round. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“It actually gives you more anxiety and a lot of other stuff that comes along with it.

“I feel pretty good about the opening round and looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Adam Scott was the next best Aussie at four-under, a score that could have been better if not for a double-bogey five on the par three 14th hole when his tee shot found the water.

Smith, who could assume the world No.1 ranking with a victory in Memphis, depending on where current world No.1 Scottie Scheffler finishes, carded an up-and-down opening round 67, which included an eagle and two bogeys, to be five off the lead.

Scheffler opening with a one-over par 71.

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Jason Day leads Australian charge at $21m St Jude Classic

Jason Day leads Australian charge at $21m St Jude Classic

Former world no.1 Jason Day decided to ditch the “anxiety” that comes with worrying about outcomes and pushed himself into contention at the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs where winning isn’t the only goal.

World No.2 Cameron Smith kept his cool amid a growing storm about his potential defection to Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Golf and declared he was ready to “cop some heat” for pre-tournament denials after his own solid opening round a the St JudeClassic.

In a sign interpreted by some as strengthening Smith’s reported $140 million LIV defection, the Australian was point-blank after his opening round of 67 about the continued questioning.

“I’m ready to cop some heat. I understand that’s what I’ve said,” Smith told Sky Sports having declared any news on a move would come from him.

“I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs, that’s my number one goal. Whatever happens after that will come from me.”

But while Smith remains in focus Day, who withdrew from last week’s PGA Tour event with illness, carded a bogey-free round of 65 to sit just off the pace in a share of fifth late in the opening round at the $21m St Jude Classic , three shots behind the leaders.

Only the top 70 finishers will progress to the next event and remain in the hunt for the biggest payday in golf, outside of signing a LIV deal.

Day, who hasn’t won since 2018 and has slipped to 147th on the world rankings, said he wasn’t getting lost in thinking too far ahead.

“You’re always just trying like to just blend everything together and hopefully it will click,” Day said.

“I’m not getting too excited about anything right now, just got to stay patient as much as I can because the more and more I start thinking about outcomes and being able to get into next week, it just does nothing for me, or at least anything positive for me.

“It actually gives you more anxiety and a lot of other stuff that comes along with it.

“I feel pretty good about the opening round and looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Adam Scott was the next best Aussie at four-under, a score that could have been better if not for a double-bogey five on the par three 14th hole when his tee shot found the water.

Smith, who could assume the world No.1 ranking with a victory in Memphis, depending on where current world No.1 Scottie Scheffler finishes, carded an up-and-down opening round 67, which included an eagle and two bogeys, to be five off the lead.

Scheffler opening with a one-over par 71.

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US PGA Tour files motion in court to prevent players from playing FedEx Cup, Matt Jones, latest, updates

US PGA Tour files motion in court to prevent players from playing FedEx Cup, Matt Jones, latest, updates

The US PGA Tour filed a motion in federal court on Monday asking three LIV Golf players not to be allowed to compete in this week’s FedEx Cup playoff opener, while delivering a blistering attack on the morality of the tournament.

Arguing LIV Golf players knew there would be consequences for leaving the PGA for the Saudi-backed upstart series, the PGA said in US District Court for Northern California that they can not “have their cake and eat it too.”

Watch LIVE coverage from The USPGA Tour with Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Australian Matt Jones and Americans Talor Gooch and Hudson Swafford will have a hearing on Tuesday afternoon in San Jose on their request for a temporary restraining order forcing them to be allowed to compete at this week’s St. Jude Championship at Memphis.

The PGA Tour called the players’ motion “legally baseless” in its filing and added their decision to wait two months after leaving to file the motion was “fabricating an ’emergency’ they now maintain requires immediate action.”

The PGA said players knew their actions would bring suspensions and noted other LIV players who could have playoff spots based on top 125 point finishers in the PGA season have opted not to ask for such spots.

Buhai poised to take British Open | 01:01

MORE COVERAGE

‘S***ting their pants’: LIV Golf texts between Greg Norman and ex-Masters champ revealed

Aussie golf’s ‘special’ $3.4m move earns big boost … but Smith wait goes on amid LIV link

‘I found three brothers’: Golf legend reduced to blubbering mess in stirring live TV farewell

“The players’ purported harm is entirely self-induced,” the PGA filing said. The three players were among 11 who filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour last week, the first legal blow in a fight over the future of elite-level golf that could take years to settle.

The court also heard that LIV Golf was “prepared to lose billions of dollars” for the sport by sportswashing for “deplorable” Saudi Arabia – the financial backers of the tournament.

“Liv is not a rational economic actor, competing fairly to start a golf tour,” the court heard.

“It’s prepared to lose billions of dollars to leverage plaintiffs and the sport of golf to ‘sportswash’ the Saudi government’s deplorable reputation for human rights abuses.”

A court has heard the PGA believes LIV Golf is sportswashing. Photo: Getty Images
A court has heard the PGA believes LIV Golf is sportswashing. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

LIV Golf offered record $25 million purses and lured away several of the sport’s top names from the US PGA Tour, prompting the PGA to make major prize money boosts for many events next season.

Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer are among those who have cast their lot with LIV Golf.

The next LIV Golf event will not be contested until after the PGA playoffs, with this week’s top 70 in points advancing to next week’s BMW Championship and the top 30 making it to the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Gooch was 20th in FedEx Cup points with Jones 65th and Swafford 67th but they have been suspended since teeing off in their first LIV Golf event.

There are currently only 122 players in the field at Memphis as three of those who made the lineup have dropped out.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood cited personal reasons while American Daniel Berger has not played since the US Open due to a back injury and American Lanto Griffin said in July he was likely done for the season after back surgery.

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Day 6, full schedule, order of events, Australians in action, Ariarne Titmus, live updates, results, medal tally, Rohan Browning 100m, athletics, swimming

Day 6, full schedule, order of events, Australians in action, Ariarne Titmus, live updates, results, medal tally, Rohan Browning 100m, athletics, swimming

LIVE: It’s Day 6 of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and it’s set to be another cracker for the Aussies.

After 11 golds and 32 medals total on Day 5, Australia will be targeting more success – with a packed schedule in the Athletics, plus the final action in the pool.

Follow all the action in our live blog below and check back for regular updates!

Superstar Peter Bol opened his campaign in style, cruising into the end of the 800m after crossing the line in his heat in first place. While sprint star Rohan Browning is back in action in the 100m semis – and hopefully the final at 6.30am AEST.

In the pool, Ariarne Titmus hunts gold in the 400m, while Se-Bom Lee hits the water in the 200m individual medley.

There’s also plenty of other action on offer, with the Kookaburras back on the hockey field after the Hockeyroos’ comfortable victory early on day six, plus our Aussie women’s cricket who are on top against Pakistan.

That’s not to mention beach volleyball, table tennis, lawn bowls, or mountain biking and so on …

LIVE MEDAL TALLY: Keep up with the Aussie charge to the top!

EVERY AUSSIE MEDAL: Read the day-by-day recap of the Comm Games

Aussie heartbreak! Poms steal GOLD in OT | 00:25

DAY FIVE NEWS

WRAP: McKeon makes history after epic upset as Aussies surge with ELEVEN gold

‘Clunky’ Diamonds get job done as focus shifts to massive battle with Jamaica

English swimming star apologizes after backlash to ‘arrogant’ interview

Cody Simpson has blown us all away at the Commonwealth Games

Aussie cult hero goes bang at Commonwealth Games after ‘humiliation’

‘Blood in the water’: The ambush we should have seen coming as next Aussie superstar emerges

CHALMERS, AUSSIES FALL SHORT IN MASSIVE BOILOVER

Despite a sizzling anchor leg from Kyle Chalmers, Australia failed to win the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay as England caused a major upset to snare the gold.

England finished with a time of 3:31:80 while Australia touched the wall at 3:31:88.

Chalmers swam a split of 46.86 as it looked for all money that he would catch up to English swimmer Tom Dean, but it wasn’t enough.

TITMUS BEATS TEEN SENSATION TO WIN FOURTH GOLD

Ariarne Titmus has set a new Commonwealth Games record after winning the women’s 400m freestyle.

Titmus – the world record holder, defending Commonwealth Games champion, and the Olympic champion – beat 15-year-old Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh who ultimately came second in the race while Aussie Kiah Melverton took home the bronze.

Titmus touched the wall at 3:58:06, a few seconds off her personal best, but it did the job as she won her fourth medal in Birmingham.

STARC BATTLES SERIOUS INJURY AMID MEDAL TILT

Brandon Starc doesn’t look comfortable, grimacing as he deals with a reported foot injury in the men’s high jump final.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games champion needed two attempts to clear 2.15m then missed his first two efforts at 2.19m.

“That was not displaying much purpose. He did not get up off the ground, the foot injury no doubt playing on his mind, ”Channel 7’s David Culbert said.

Starc is battling a foot injury. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Starc is battling a foot injury. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“With the troubles he has had you can see the body language is a bit of concern, does not look like the sort of athlete up and about feeling 100 per cent.”

Starc recovered with his third and final jump at 2.19m to stay alive, giving a little smile after nailing the height. Seven’s Matt Hill said: “Really good facial expression in contrast to what we saw a few moments ago.”

He then went on to clear 2.25m to throw down the gauntlet to the rest of the competition.

– via James Matthey, news.com.au

AUSSIE STAR SECURE GOLD IN EPIC BATTLE OF ENDURANCE

Sam Short has won the gold medal in the men’s 1500m freestyle in a physically grievous battle.

Short, who is just 18 years of age, touched the wall at 14:48:54, at a time that smashed his previous personal best by 10 seconds.

Speaking after the race, Short couldn’t hide his beaming smile as he can count himself among the elites of Australian swimming like Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett.

“All those names are incredible to me,” Short said.

“Standing here today, I didn’t think I would be in the same sentence as them. Four years ago I watched this event and didn’t know I would be in the same position.”

Ariane Titmus won gold in the women’s 800 meter freestyle and backed it up with a strong swim in the 400m to qualify in third spot for the final. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

Lani Pallister and Kiah Melverton made it a one-two-three for Australia in the heat.

FAVORITE BOWL FOR 800M FINAL

Peter Bol is once again turning heads, having flown into the men’s 800 final.

After a disappointing finish at the world championships, Bol returned to the form that made him a household name at the Tokyo Olympics and blitzed the field in the second heat, posting a time of 1:47:01.

“It’s great to be here,” Bol told Channel 7. “Unbelievable crowd as well. It’s an awesome feeling.

“Two championships in a row. It’s almost like it’s a second chance. I ran exactly how I wanted, and now four days off and back for the final.”

Australia’s Peter Bol (R) reacts after finishing in first place during the second heat of the men’s 800m at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The news wasn’t so good for fellow Australian Charlie Hunter, who missed out on the final after posting a time of 1:49:94.

Meanwhile, Steve Solomon has qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 400m. The 29-year-old finished second in the opening heat of the event.

“I’m really happy with today’s run,” he said.

“I’ve had a challenging season to put it lightly. I’m really looking forward to coming back Friday night.

“I just wasn’t able to get the body right for (the world’s) and I’m proud of how I’ve refocused. It’s exciting times.”

STAR DUO SMOKE PAKISTAN

Australia remains unbeaten in cricket, after a clinical 44-run win over Pakistan.

Early on though and a big victory seemed a long way off.

The world champions slumped to 2-19 after the early exits of Alyssa Healy (4) and captain Meg Lanning (4), before opener Beth Mooney (70* off 49) and Tahlia McGrath (78* off 51) put Australia in the driver’s seat with their 141-run unbeaten third-wicket stand. In the end Australia finished 2-160 to set an imposing target.

Pakistan never really were in it, losing wickets regularly and finished 8-116.

McGrath took 3-13 and a run out to go along with her fabulous half-century, while Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Jessica Jonassen and Alan King each took a wicket.

Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney hit half-centuries during Australia’s big win over Pakistan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

FLYING HOCKEYROOS

The Hockeyroos’ perfect start continued, as Katrina Powell’s side had a comfortable 2-0 win over Scotland.

The victory sealed top spot in Pool B for the Hockeyroos and a place in the final four.

Grace Stewart celebrates with teammates after scoring their side’s first goal against Scotland on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

While Powell’s side dominated much of the game, they had to wait until late in the second term to find the back of the goals as Grace Stewart finished nicely to put Australia in front.

Shanea Tonkin then doubled Australia’s lead to confirm a comfortable victory.

SELECTED SCHEDULE (MORE TO COME)

ATHLETICS

Men’s 100m – 6:30am (Thursday)

HOCKEY

Men’s Group Matches – Australia v South Africa (6am)

LAWN BOWLS

Tons of action from 5.30pm AEST, culminating in theFor Women’s Pairs B6-B8 Gold Medal match – Australia v Scotland (midnight)

SWIMMING

Night session from 4am

Men’s 200m Individual Medley Final, Women’s 200m Freestyle S14 Final, Men’s 200m Freestyle S14 Final, Women’s 400m Freestyle Final, Men’s 50m Freestyle Final, Women’s 50m Backstroke Final, Men’s 1500m Freestyle Final, Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay Final, Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final, Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final

LIVE BLOG

Follow all the action from Day Five of the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below! Can’t see the blog? CLICK HERE!

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