3 minute read
Golf superstar Cameron Smith is fishing for his first victory in 15 months at the age-old NSW Open on the Murray River.
Much like his fishing, Cameron Smith has yet to net a big win this year and is intent on snapping the drought at the NSW Open at the relaxing and picturesque Murray Downs.
The superstar 2022 British Open champ insists he's treating the age-old event like a major championship after going winless since last year's LIV Golf Bedminster exactly 15 months ago.
"I wouldn't say I've been unlucky, but I've been in contention a lot this year and haven't quite been able to get it done," Smith said after Wednesday's pro-am.
"So it'd be nice to get a win. Yeah, I'm here to win.
"The prep the last three days has been really solid. I spent a lot of time out on the course.
"Getting to know these Australian courses, particularly the country ones, is a little bit different, so just seeing how the ball reacts and the bounces and all that stuff takes a little bit of getting used to.
"But I feel like I've got it pretty down pat now and I prepared the same for this tournament as I would for a major championship.
"I feel like that's one of my good traits and, yeah, we're definitely here to try and win."
With $800,000 in prize money on offer, the NSW Open has attracted a quality field also featuring Smith's LIV Golf Ripper teammate Lucas Herbert.
Smith and Herbert will tee off for Thursday's opening round in the marquee morning group with exciting NSW amateur Declan O'Donovan.
Smith is also keeping close tabs on newly crowned WA Open winner Elvis Smylie after enjoying a practice round on Tuesday with the highly rated former amateur champion and WA PGA Championship winner Jack Buchanan.
"I've known Elvis now for quite a while. I've seen his game kind of develop a lot," Smith said.
"It's actually been a while since I played with him and he's hitting the ball great, and Jack as well.
"They're both really good ball strikers and it was really good to see.
"I haven't played these tournaments where I get to play with these kids very often and it was just cool to see that Australian golf is in really good hands."
The NSW Open is the lead-up to next week's Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane, where Smith, the home-town favourite, will strive to win a fourth title in seven years.
But the Florida-based 30-year-old admits his run of near-misses this season has been much like his fishing this week on the famed Murray River.
"Didn't catch anything," Smith said.
"We had a few bites but, yeah, no good. No good under pressure."
