Cameron Smith has a significant and lots of different golf titles to his title, however the elusive Australian Open is the one he desires to win “so unhealthy”.
Smith is again on dwelling soil forward of a bumper summer season of golf in Australia and though he’s ecstatic about taking part in in entrance of household and buddies, he’s right here to win.
Catch the complete Cam Smith interview with Braith Anasta Friday, 5pm on Kayo or Channel 503.
Smith displays on ‘powerful’ LIV deflection | 00:55
The Queenslander already has three Australian PGA Championships to his title, together with his most up-to-date triumph coming final 12 months.
However the Australian Open is the one Smith craves.
“I really feel like I’ve had one hand on the trophy there a few occasions and haven’t fairly been capable of get it completed,” Smith instructed rugby league legend Braith Anasta in a wide-ranging interview through which he additionally spoke about his controversial swap to LIV Golf.
“I feel the older I get, the extra stress I placed on myself to attempt to do one thing, which could be very in contrast to me.
“However I simply need it so unhealthy. Rising up as a child in Australia, you wish to have your nationwide open.”
And when requested how successful the Australian Open would evaluate to successful a significant, Smith responded: “For me, it will most likely be primary.”
Smith additionally reiterated the chance to compete in Australia extra usually was a driving issue behind his controversial transfer from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf.
The one place to look at each upcoming occasion on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia stay is on Fox Sports activities, obtainable on Kayo >
Broncos GF loss introduced Smith to tears | 00:40
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“I want I may play extra, we’re travelling lots as of late,” Smith stated.
“I wish to get again right here, there’s no cause why Australian golf can’t have one or two extra huge tournaments and get in entrance of the house crowd a bit bit extra.”
Smith’s bombshell swap to the Saudi-backed LIV tour got here with some backlash and whereas the Queenslander admits it was powerful to take at occasions, he actually has no regrets.
“It was a bit bit powerful to undergo … however I spoke to my household a bunch and spoke to my crew a bunch and now spending a few seasons on the market, I feel I undoubtedly made the best determination,” Smith stated.
“To take golf to totally different locations, to. Particularly world class golf – and present followers what golf will be performed like, it’s nice … and to get world wide travelling along with your greatest mates, it’s been loads of enjoyable.”
Uncertainty lingers over golf’s future regardless of plans for a merger between the PGA and LIV, which introduced its draft 2024 schedule on Thursday.
Smith is not sure how issues will play out, however he’s not fearful.
“That’s for folks smarter than me to work out. It looks like there’s about 1,000,000 attorneys attempting to determine it out for the time being,” Smith stated.
“We (the gamers) haven’t heard a lot in any respect. We’re simply there and actually simply centered on what we have to do to make our tour extra profitable and that’s what we’re all about.
Smith stays eager for Olympic return | 01:27
“From a participant’s standpoint there’s actually no laborious emotions between any of the gamers. It’s actually fairly cruisey — I feel the media has lots to do with that, loads of clashing, however we’ll wait and see what occurs.
“I’m pleased with the place I’m at, if it doesn’t change, nice, if it does, no matter. I simply wish to play golf world wide and the very best golf I can play.”
A profitable Australian summer season would cap off a powerful 2023 for Smith, who gained the London and Bedminster LIV occasions in addition to a 4th-place end on the U.S. Open.
Nonetheless, the 30-year-old believes it may have been a good higher 12 months had he not suffered a sluggish begin.
And if he can kick off 2024 in type, Smith hopes it is going to carry him in direction of the head of golf: the well-known inexperienced jacket.
“January and February, I’ve to be on my stuff most likely a bit bit greater than I used to be final 12 months,” Smith stated.
“Acquired off to a little bit of a sluggish begin and I used to be competent, however wasn’t actually pleased with how my recreation was at Augusta.
“That’s no-one’s fault however my very own and that undoubtedly gained’t occur once more this 12 months.
“That’s undoubtedly one I wish to get.”
SCHEDULE
November 23-26: Australian PGA Championship, Royal Queensland Golf Membership, Brisbane
Whole prize cash: $2,000,000
December 1-4: Australian Open, The Australian Golf Membership and The Lakes Golf Membership, Sydney
Whole prize cash: $1,700,000
HOW TO WATCH
The one place to look at each upcoming occasion on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia stay is on Fox Sports activities, obtainable on Kayo >
NOTABLE PLAYERS
Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Marc Leishman, Adrian Meronk (AUT), Matt Jones, Cameron Davis, Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Mito Pereira (CHI), Robert MacIntyre (SCO), Michael Block (USA), Lucas Herbert, Alex Fitzpatrick (ENG), Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP), Eddie Pepperell (ENG), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA)
PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
Australian PGA Championship
2022 (Nov): Cameron Smith
2022 (Jan): Jed Morgan
2019: Adam Scott
2018: Cameron Smith
2017: Cameron Smith
Australian Open
2022: Adrian Meronk
2019: Matt Jones
2018: Abraham Ancer
2017: Cameron Davis
2016: Jordan Spieth