After missing the cut at this month’s Masters amid a slow start to the year, Smith found some much-needed form in the opening round of LIV Golf’s Mexico City event, shooting a seven-under 64 on Saturday morning (AEST) to trail leader Bryson DeChambeau by just one stroke. “I’ve probably been a little bit too technically worried about what’s going on in my swing,” Queenslander Smith said. “I just let all that go at and really just tried to hit some shots and get out of my own way.” The 2022 British Open champion’s round at the par-71 Club de Golf Chapultepec layout included nine birdies, as well two bogeys, in tough conditions because of the high altitude. “The full shots aren’t too bad. You get a really good gist of how far they’re going,” he said. “(With) the three-quarter ones and the ones you’re trying to knock down into the wind, it’s like flipping a coin, but we hit a few good ones today, so hopefully we can keep that going.” The event is Smith’s third since his wife Shanel gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son named Remy. “(I) definitely (have) a different perspective,” he said. “It’s the coolest thing ever. Nothing will ever beat that. I’ve been fortunate enough to win some really big tournaments, and be out here having a great time, but being a dad is number one. It’s so awesome.” Smith’s Ripper GC outfit finished with a combined total of 15-under to be tied for first with Crushers GC heading into the second round of the teams section of the event. Complementing Smith’s round were solid efforts from his teammates Lucas Herbert (three-under), Matt Jones (three-under) and Marc Leishman (two-under).