Cam Smith adds more star power to Australian Open field
After committing to play in the PGA Championship, the Queensland PGA and the NSW Open, the 2022 British Open champion has locked in a chance to win his first national title, with the tournament played at at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club from November 28 to December 1.
Fellow major winner Jason Day and his Olympic teammate Min Woo Lee, and Cam Davis are among the Australian men who have also committed to play, while world No.7 West Australian Hannah Green leads the women’s field in the dual gender tournament.
I’ve just spent a week inside the ropes with Cameron Smith. Here are 11 things he & some of the best players in the world do that make them the best golfers on the planet & to prepare for a tournament— Ryan Mouque (@ryanmouquegolf) 👇🧵 pic.twitter.com/BH0YUDpTW7September 16, 2024
LIV golfer Smith, whose all-Australian team last month collected a $20.5 million payday for taking out the Team Championship event, has played in 11 Australian Opens but so far come up empty-handed.
“I don’t know if it’s been a difficult tournament for me but there’s been a couple of hard pills to swallow in the past,'” said Smith from his Queensland home.
“I’ve been close a couple of times, lost in a play-off, so there’s definitely some motivation there to win it and get that trophy.
“It’s one that I’ve always wanted to win, one that’s always been on my radar and I feel like I’ve prepped for a lot and I just haven’t been able to do it yet.”
The Queensland PGA at Nudgee Golf Club (October 31 to November 3) kicks off his tournament run followed by the NSW Open, played at Murray Downs near the Victorian border, on November 14-17.
Smith will then return to his home state for the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland on November 21-24 before the Open.
“I’ve just got some extra time, and I feel like last year I had a lot of time off and got to do some really cool things in Australia that I haven’t been able to do,” the 31-year-old said.
“I really wanted to be prepped for the last couple of events, they’re obviously smaller tournaments but I think it’s good to give back to Australian golf wherever I can.
“I had some spare time so rather than sitting on the lounge, actually doing some work and prepping for the big ones – not only at the end of year but leading into next year – it just made a little bit of sense for me to do that.”
