Cameron Smith’s coach believes the youngster is on the cusp of building a great domestic golf resume as he prepares to headline the field at this week’s Australian Open.
The 25-year-old Smith is seeking to add a maiden Open title to his 2017 Australian PGA Championship victory and long-time swing instructor Grant Field says a series of close calls have made his star pupil hungrier than ever.
US PGA Tour player Smith finished fourth behind winner Cameron Davis last year, 12 months after losing to American superstar Jordan Spieth in a sudden-death play-off at Royal Sydney.
“He definitely wants to cement himself as one of the great Australian players,” Field told AAP.
“Cam is a passionate Queenslander and a passionate Australian, so in his mind he wants as many Australian wins as he can manage.
“He’s had a number of really good finishes at the Open and his win at the Aussie PGA is validation he has what it takes.
“This summer is a good opportunity to take that to the next level.”
Brisbane native Smith was out practising late on Monday afternoon at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, which is hosting its first Open since 2012.
The world No.33 says he has been training hard at his Florida base of TPC Sawgrass since the US PGA Tour’s Asia swing of October – a trip that included a share of seventh in Korea.
“That’s the goal; to complete the (Open and PGA) double … I’ve been thinking about the Australian Open all year,” Smith said.
“I’ve prepared really well this year, because I’m especially determined to finally win this one.
“I’ve been watching the Aussie events since I was a kid, so to be out here competing and having chances to win the Australian Open has been special.”
Smith will also make his golf World Cup debut for Australia alongside countryman Marc Leishman in Melbourne next week.
Australian Associated Press
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