Mighty Maroons inspire Smithy
GALVANISED by Queensland’s stirring win in the State of Origin decider, Cameron Smith – the golfer, not the NRL legend – is fired up for the biggest challenge in his sport.
One of 11 Aussies who have qualified for the 150th British Open, the passionate Maroons fan says he’s pumped up for the biggest tournament in golf history, which gets under way at St Andrews on Thursday.
Ranked sixth in the world, Smith is considered Australia’s best hope for the last major of 2022 after winning this year’s Players’ Championship and finishing third at the Masters.
“I think I’ve played the best golf of my life this year,” Smith said. “I love the golf course. It would be awesome to win an Open here for sure. I think it’s everyone’s dream growing up to win an Open at St Andrews.
“I don’t want to jinx myself, but I’m feeling pretty good. The game feels good. I had a good weekend up at the Scottish Open (tied for 10th).
“It was good to see some putts drop and a couple of low numbers over the weekend. So hopefully I can get it done.”
Smith has played the British Open just four times before, with a best-placed finish of 20th in 2019, so he is still figuring out how to adapt to the vagaries of links golf, where the coastal winds, baked fairways and unforgiving rough combine to make it a mind-boggling test of patience and skill.
“You have to have all the shots down pat there,” he said.
“Links golf is trying to hit the perfect shot and hoping for the best. You are going to get yourself into some ugly spots. You’ve just got to be ready.”
Smith will tee off in his first round at 5.03pm AEST, one of the first groups to get out on the Old Course. He should finish his opening round about the same time Adam Scott and Marc Leishman start theirs.
The three Australians played nine practice holes on Wednesday before retreating to a local pub in St Andrews to watch the rugby league with retired tennis ace Ash Barty.
“Leish and Scotty were hitting it pretty good as well so it should be a good week (for the Australians),” Smith said.
“This golf course probably reminds us a little bit of home. It’s really firm and really fast, which the Aussies really enjoy.
“It’s going to be brutal. If the wind keeps up like it is … some points it will be unfair. But you’ve just got to move on and deal with it as best you can and try and make those birdies when you can.”