Australians Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman launched final-round charges but fell just shy of American Brooks Koepka in LIV Golf’s Singapore tournament.
Koepka finished 15 under with a steely last round at Sentosa Golf Club on Sunday, with Smith and Leishman tied second at 13 under.
Smith’s all-Australian Ripper GC also including Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones won the teams event, taking consecutive titles following their success in Adelaide last weekend.
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“I’m very proud of them. I knew that we had it in is and it was just a matter of time,” Smith said.
“Probably a few lazy boys over Christmas, to be honest, and it took us a little bit to get going.
“But this is how we expect to play and this is how we want to keep playing. We’ll try and make it three in Houston.”
Smith said the results came down to the whole team pushing each other.
“Herbie’s been a great addition, he’s got that young blood in him and he wants everyone to do well,” he said.
“He keeps pushing the old boys. It’s a really good mix of golfers and personalities and we just gel so well.”
Smith fired a seven-under 64 featuring eight birdies but a bogey on the par 5 7th hole cruelled his chances of catching Koepka.
Leishman shot a 66 and with two holes remaining was within one shot of Koepka, who had slept on a three-stroke lead.
But the Australian drove into the trees on his final hole, then hit a branch trying to escape, leading to a bogey.
Five-time major winner Koepka closed out victory with a two-under 69 to become the first golfer to win four LIV tournaments.
The American’s career earnings on the breakaway tour are more than $A35 million.
Australia’s Herbert (five under) and Jones (one under) were off the pace but their collective feats helped propel Ripper GC to successive titles.
The Australian team finished 32 under, three shots clear of Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC and Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC.
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