Cam Smith annoyed after shock at the Australian Open which is ‘not exactly’ what he was expecting

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Cameron Smith is once again the main attraction down under as the prestigious Australian Open takes place at Victoria and Kingston Heath.

The LIV Golf star returned home for the Queensland PGA Championship before competing in last week’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

The Aussie crowds clearly love Smith, and a highlight of the 31-year-old’s season came during Ripper GC’s team victory in Adelaide.

After Adam Scott and Jason Day, it’s clear who is destined to be Australia’s next major champion, and Smith is looking to maintain his good recent form in the country’s flagship event this weekend.

The former Open Champion isn’t overly pleased with the course, however.

Cameron Smith drops honest verdict on Australian Open

Victoria and Kingston Heath are located on Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt, an area known for its sandy soil and home to several high-class golf courses.

As a result, firm and fast fairways and greens were expected. However, that isn’t the case, and Smith is less than impressed.

“It seems there’s been a lot of water, and it’s not exactly what I was expecting,” Smith said during his pre-tournament media duties.

“The course(s) are in great condition but playing so much different to how they’re designed and how they’re meant to be played, which is pretty disappointing. I had been keeping an eye on the weather here, and I was really excited last week – to play a firm and fast Sandbelt.”

Smith added: “It’s something that my (Ripper GC) teammates and I this year spoke about. We love coming down here and playing these events because it’s the golf courses (are firm and fast), and it’s just not going to play like that. It’s going to play more like an American golf course, kind of target golf.”

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Notable names in the Australian Open field

The Australian Open typically attracts a strong field, and it’s no different this time around.

Elvis Smylie, coming off his Australian PGA Championship victory, is set to tee it up once more, as is Phoenix Campbell, fresh of his Queensland PGA Championship win.

Defending Australian Open winner Joaquin Niemann is also in Melbourne and arguably Smith’s most significant threat this week.

The Chilean was one of the standout performers on LIV in 2024 and also played well at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.