{"id":591089,"date":"2026-04-07T11:08:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/591089\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T11:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:08:08","slug":"liv-golf-push-builds-for-smyth-who-storms-to-international-series-rankings-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/591089\/","title":{"rendered":"LIV Golf push builds for Smyth, who storms to International Series Rankings lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHIBA, Japan – Travis Smyth has turned a long-held goal into immediate action with his breakthrough victory at International Series Japan<\/a>. The win has propelled the Australian straight to the top of The International Series Rankings<\/a>, adding real momentum to his push back towards the LIV Golf League.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old delivered a composed and clinical performance at Caledonian Golf Club<\/a> to secure his maiden title on the Series, earning 180 points and taking an early lead in the season-long Rankings race, which offers a direct pathway to LIV Golf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smyth\u2019s connection with the League dates back to its inaugural season in 2022, when he featured in multiple LIV Golf Invitational events after finishing runner-up at International Series England. The experience left a lasting impression, and a clear target.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEver since I got a taste of the LIV Golf League, I\u2019ve wanted to get back there,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s always at the back of my mind, when I wake up and when I go to bed. I want to finish the season as strongly as I can and give myself the best chance to get back to where I feel I belong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI played a few events in that first season and absolutely loved it. The idea of being based in Australia, travelling the world, and competing in LIV events alongside The International Series, that\u2019s a pretty great life. It\u2019s something I\u2019m working towards.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The victory builds on his recent triumph at the Japan\u2013Australasia Championship, where he edged a tight race to secure the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit title. With momentum firmly on his side, Smyth remains focused on maintaining consistency rather than getting ahead of himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs clich\u00e9 as it sounds, it\u2019s about sticking to what I\u2019ve been doing,\u201d he said. \u201cComing off a win, it\u2019s not always easy mentally, you\u2019re a bit drained and expectations are high. I\u2019ll take a few days off, then get back into preparation for Singapore. It\u2019s about getting into a routine again and just repeating the process.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

After years of knocking on the door, seeking a second Asian Tour title since his Yeangder TPC win in 2022 and a first on The International Series, Smyth\u2019s game has clearly evolved and matured to reach this stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of good results, top fives, top 10s, and I\u2019d still consider that success. But winning is different. It takes something extra mentally, and I feel like I\u2019ve started to unlock that,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the start of this week, I actually wasn\u2019t playing well. I had a poor prep and even early in the first round I was over par. But I stayed patient, kept believing, and trusted that the good shots would come. That\u2019s been the biggest difference, handling those uncomfortable moments better.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Behind Smyth in the Rankings, Thailand\u2019s Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Japan\u2019s Ryosuke Kinoshita sit tied for second on 86.5 points after their runner-up finishes in Chiba. American Austen Truslow is fourth with 50 points, while India\u2019s rising talent Karandeep Kochhar is close behind in fifth on 37.15, rounding out a tightly contested early leaderboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Top image: Travis Smyth celebrates after winning International Series Japan on April 5 of 2026. (Photo courtesy of Graeme McCubbin\/International Series\/LIV Golf)<\/p>\n