In a press event with Ripper GC team-mates to promote LIV Golf’s upcoming season, Smith doubled-down on his criticism of the Australian Open which in recent years has been a dual-gender event.

Smith last November railed at the “disappointing” set-up of Melbourne’s Kingston Heath for Australia’s showpiece golf tournament, believing the distinctly Australian traits of the course – firm and fast conditions – were tamed to cater for the format.

Some suggest moving the national title to February, around the new timing of LIV Golf’s tournament in Adelaide featuring Smith and other drawcards including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson.

Asked by Golf Australia magazine whether a timing switch could entice the big guns to the Open around the LIV Adelaide tournament, to be held February 14-16 this year, Smith said “I can’t see why it wouldn’t be possible”.

“(But) I don’t think a schedule change is really the biggest issue there at the moment.

“I feel like we have to put on a really good tournament and the players will come – I think that is why we have seen a lack of talent and a lack of high-ranked golfers for the last two years.

“We will see what happens.

“I know I am not the only one who feels this way and it has definitely been the talk of the town with the Australian professionals.

“Hopefully we can work as a team and really sort this event out because it would be a shame to see the Australian Open be lost.”

Smith said the “biggest issue” was the Open’s format and structure.

“Two years ago, Adam Scott was four shots off the lead and he teed off the 10th hole two hours before the leaders – stuff like that just can’t happen,” Smith said.

“And it happened again this year, I know we had some bad weather … but it’s not how the Aussie Open should be, particularly in Melbourne.

“It needs to be firm and fast and the best player needs to win and I am just not sure if that has been the case.”

Matt Jones, Smith’s Ripper teammate on the LIV Golf circuit, added: “A men’s Australian Open should be a stand alone event.”

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland, after last year’s open, defended the format and said staging separate events for men and women wasn’t commercially viable.

Smith said he had yet to speak directly with Sutherland.

“He definitely knows my feelings but it’s a conversation that I need to have, for sure, because I just don’t like the way it’s going,” Smith said.