Smith shot a brilliant four-under par 67 in the second round that could have been so much better. 

His sideways bounce off a temporary grandstand left of the 18th hole found the pond on the opposite side, and he ended up making a double bogey six to finish his round, having reached six-under for the day earlier. 

American Xander Schauffele leads at 11 under par, which leaves Smith (four under in a tie for 20th place) seven shots from the top of the leaderboard entering the weekend.  

There were two weather delays today because of lightning in the area, and play was ultimately suspended at 5.20pm with a few players – including Australian Marc Leishman – still on the course. 

As for Queenslander Smith, he made seven birdies and was dialled in with his irons, but he said his rhythm was impacted by the first weather delay. 

The delay, taken while he was playing the 15th hole, was not helpful given that he was running hot at the time. The 18th was the sour finish to a frustrating day. 

“That was pretty unfortunate,” Smith said of his misfortune on 18. 

“I was just trying to hit it down there on the left and the rough caught the heel a little bit and it went a bit further left than I anticipated. 

“I mean it’s a pretty frustrating day as it was. I felt like I did a lot of good stuff today and didn’t get the most out of my round. To finish like that is a bit crappy.” 

Smith was philosophical about his position after rounds of 71-67. 

“I know my game’s there,” he said. 

“I felt like I hit a lot of good golf shots today, I had a lot of opportunities. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully the putts drop over the weekend.” 

Leishman endured a struggle at Kasumigaseki today, and he is tied-51st in the 60-player field at one over par with a putt for birdie at the 17th hole and another hole to complete of his second round when the players come back first-thing tomorrow. 

Martin Blake