Cameron Smith has taken a swipe on the world rankings that might deny his Olympic dream, declaring “I don’t assume I’m the forty fourth finest golfer on the earth” and revealing a dialled-in give attention to the Masters in April as his first stepping stone in the direction of Paris and the most important trophies he covets.
Readying himself for the third LIV occasion of the 12 months in Jeddah, Smith mentioned Jon Rahm’s inclusion had “raised the bar” for the breakaway tour and the additional tournaments earlier than Augusta ought to have him peaking for his tilt at a maiden inexperienced jacket in addition to a house return in Adelaide two weeks later.
LIV boss Greg Norman labelled the Official World Golf Rankings “laughable” at their ongoing exclusion of his gamers, and after LIV’s most profitable participant, Talor Gooch, missed a particular invitation to the Masters, Smith, who has dropped to 44 from a career-high of No.2 when he received the British Open in 2022, echoed the frustration.
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A failed marketing campaign at two occasions throughout the Australian summer time, an effort that also stings the Queenslander, leaves Smith with three main championships to earn rankings factors and keep within the hunt for a second Olympics.
Solely Min Woo Lee, who needs to go to Paris, and Jason Day, who most probably received’t, are forward of Smith on the rankings, with Adam Scott, who additionally would abdicate his spot ought to he qualify, and Cam Davis rounding out the 5 Aussies within the high 50.
Smith mentioned he knew “what I’ve to do” and that began with a daring displaying at Augusta that he mentioned was an annual expectation anyway and one he began making ready for as quickly because the calendar ticked over to January 1.
“It’s on each golfer’s thoughts actually as quickly as the brand new 12 months comes round. It’s solely three or 4 months into the brand new 12 months and there’s positively numerous prep that goes into the sport centered round Augusta,” Smith, who has top-10 finishes in 4 of the previous 5 Masters, instructed the NCA NewsWire from Jeddah.
“Final 12 months we solely performed two or 3 times earlier than Augusta. This time we have now 5 tournaments and a bit of little bit of lead time going into to Miami, which is the week earlier than Augusta, the place we are able to zone in on and make these little tweaks we predict we have to make.
“It’s positively a greater competitors set-up this 12 months and higher timing.”
Smith mentioned there was little chat amongst LIV gamers about their rankings scenario anymore, however there have been sufficient examples of gamers being in foolish spots to create questions across the value of the primary metric used for entry into the majors and the Olympics.
“I don’t actually assume I’m the forty fourth finest participant on the earth, however that’s simply how it’s and one thing I’ve to cop within the chin, and if it prices me enjoying for my nation, it’s going to be a bit of bit disappointing,” he mentioned.
“I believe everybody has sort of accepted it, however even after we get to the majors, Dustin Johnson is exterior the highest 200 (he’s 247th), and you already know he’s somebody it’s important to beat all these main weeks.
“Usually, you’re looking on the first 15 or 20 guys on the world rankings as the primary guys, whereas now you’re looking on the high 400.”
Smith, who has completed tied for eighth and tied for fifteenth within the two LIV occasions up to now this 12 months, confirmed there was a unique “vibe” after the signings of Masters champion Rahm and English gun Tyrrell Hatton to the tour for its third season.
“There’s a couple of extra guys actually setting the benchmark actually excessive and you may even inform simply with individuals’s prep and what they’re doing earlier than tournaments that the whole lot is sort of a bit extra keyed on this 12 months,” he mentioned.
“Individuals simply need to play higher and beat one another. It’s positively a unique environment out right here this 12 months.”