Golf News: Cam Smith’s eagerly anticipated return home with some extra baggage, very literally.
Due to COVID travel restrictions, the third-ranked player in the world is now back in his native Australia after a three-year absence. The current Open champion travelled 9,000 miles from his home in Jacksonville, Florida to Australia, where he will compete in the Australian PGA Championship, carrying the claret jug. Due to COVID, the event is being challenged for the first time in two years.
When asked to reflect on his victory at St. Andrews during a pre-tournament press conference, Smith, 29, said his first major championship victory hasn’t yet sunk in. Smith was seated next to the claret jug.
Smith stated, “I still can’t believe (the claret jug is here) or that I got it. “The entire competition seems to have gone dark. I hardly recall anything from the previous week. I’ve watched some TV replays and other things.”
Smith was welcomed as a hero when he arrived with the claret jug. He was given a key to Royal Queensland, making him the 52nd person overall and the first golfer to receive one.
Since I’ve been at home, I’ve shed a few tears; it’s been good, he admitted.
However, Smith’s victory at St. Andrews wasn’t the only reason he garnered attention this year. Smith switched to the LIV Golf tour, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, shortly after the 2021–22 PGA Tour season ended.
Smith gave up his right to receive world ranking points in that action because LIV tournaments do not currently provide them. Despite just dropping one spot in the rankings since his defection, he isn’t too concerned about his OWGR standing at this time.
Smith stated, “I feel not having any points has obviously cost me a fair bit since joining (LIV).” “I’ve been playing some really, really strong golf, especially with the golf. Although it is a little uncomfortable, there is no obligation to come out here.”
Although he can gain ground this week and stave off a ranking slide, he is more eager to attempt to claim his third Australian PGA victory (2017, 2018) in front of his home audience.
“I think the buzz of the crowd and all that stuff is going to mean more to me than a few world ranking points,” he said. “It’s just exciting to be back.”
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