Cam Smith has dominated out enjoying additional occasions exterior the majors to attempt to earn essential rankings factors for Olympic qualification he “desperately” craves, declaring officers “know with out understanding” he deserves choice.
However Smith mentioned predetermined qualification standards put the LIV star at a “drawback”, as his rating continues to slip having missed out on choosing up essential factors on the Australian Open and PGA late in 2023 as a result of sudden poor showings and no factors on supply at LIV occasions.
The British Open champion was world No.2 when he saluted at St Andrews however has fallen to 35 on the latest rankings, which makes him the second-highest-ranked Australian behind Jason Day, who has risen to 18 amid his profession resurgence and off ending tied for sixth at Pebble Seaside final weekend.
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However Smith can be simply 4 spots forward of PGA winner Min Woo Lee, who’s ranked 38, and he might rise additional with a distinguished efficiency on the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open this week.
Fellow Aussie Cam Davis can be again on the planet prime 50, ranked 47, and each he and Lee have expressed a powerful need to get to the Paris Video games.
The pair had been amongst a number of gamers fitted out for Olympic uniforms throughout the Australian Open in Sydney final November.
Smith, who represented Australia on the Tokyo Olympics, had beforehand flagged the chance to play some Asian Tour occasions to spice up his rating after getting a small bump when he got here second within the Hong Kong Open final 12 months.
However he revealed the primary three main championships, which he qualifies for because the British Open winner, will now be his focus for factors, with the two-man Australian Olympic staff set to be determined by the place gamers are positioned on the Official World Golf Rankings on June 17.
The US Open being performed at Pinehurst would be the last occasion earlier than choice for Paris.
“It’s a little bit of a drawback in comparison with the opposite Aussie guys,” Smith advised SEN forward of the second LIV occasion of the 12 months in Las Vegas, the place the golfers are competing for consideration with the Tremendous Bowl.
“However actually wish to be there. I’ll try to put together pretty much as good as I can for these majors.”
Smith mentioned Australian Olympic officers knew their arms had been in being unable to select who they need by the foundations, with world rankings arrange as the only real qualification standards for the Video games, which might influence different LIV gamers past Smith.
He doubted there could be a change coming to the choice standards anytime quickly regardless of the apparent want.
“I feel they realize it with out understanding it,” he mentioned.
“However they’ve already set standards for that and I’m not certain they’re going to change it to swimsuit me. We’ll see what occurs, however I desperately wish to be in Paris.”
Smith might get a lifeline ought to Day, who selected to not go to the 2016 Rio Video games when golf was reintroduced out of worry of the zika virus, cross once more.
The 36-year-old has not given a sign about whether or not he needs to go to Paris.
AUSTRALIAN WORLD RANKINGS (MEN)
18 – Jason Day
35 – Cameron Smith
39 – Min Woo Lee
47 – Cameron Davis
48 – Adam Scott