Three-time champion Cameron Smith will tee up at the Australian PGA Championship after confirming his place in the field for the first of the summer’s two flagship golf tournaments.

The popular Queenslander joins defending champion Min Woo Lee and fellow major championship winner Jason Day as feature players for this year’s event at Royal Queensland Golf Club from November 21-24.

In a special treat for golf fans, Smith will also play in the Queensland PGA Championship — the fifth event on the 2024-25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia — at Nudgee Golf Club starting on October 31.

Smith’s impressive Australian PGA Championship record features back-to-back victories in 2017-18, before he won again in 2022. 

Another Joe Kirkwood Cup would see the 2022 British Open champion join Robert Allenby and Norman Von Nida as a four-time PGA winner, trailing only Kel Nagle (six wins) and Billy Dunk (five). 

The 31-year-old continues to be a huge supporter of Australian golf and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and his presence at Royal Queensland is sure to again draw massive crowds to his hometown championship. 

“Coming home to Queensland is a highlight of my year. It’s always special to be back playing in front of my family, friends and all the golf fans and hopefully being up near the lead,” Smith said. 

“This year, I’ll be playing in both the BMW Australian PGA Championship and the Queensland PGA Championship, which is going to be something different for me, but I’m really looking forward to both weeks back home. 

“Of course I’d love to win both, but it’s going to be difficult with the fields that will be at the two tournaments. 

“I think playing at Nudgee will be good preparation for Royal Queensland and hopefully will have me at my best to attempt to take back the Joe Kirkwood Cup.” 

PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said securing Smith was a huge boost for both events. 

“We all love seeing Cam playing golf back in Australia and I’m sure he’ll be determined to put on a great show in front of his home crowd this year at both Royal Queensland and Nudgee,” Kirkman said. 

“Cam really appeals to all ages of golf fans. He’s a big reason why so many youngsters are taking up the game and are in our galleries at Royal Queensland each year.”

As a young professional, Smith was runner-up in the 2015 Queensland PGA Championship after finishing as leading amateur in the 2011 event. His 2024 highlights have included two LIV Golf team wins with Ripper GC and a tie for sixth at the Masters.

AAP