Cam Smith is the first to admit: 2025 is not his year.
Just look at his major records: MC, MC, MC, MC. In fact, Smith entered this week’s Australian Open this year having failed to advance in seven attempts. After last week’s Australian PGA event, he detailed his loss and confusion.
But Royal Melbourne has brought out the best in him.
All week long we heard pros rave about the host course, which is considered one of the best in the world. But when you haven’t visited a course in person, it’s always fun to try to figure out from TV, reviews, expert commentary – what makes a great golf course great?
I found Smith’s answer particularly enlightening.
Smith was all smiles after shooting a 65 in the second round and was within striking distance of the lead.
“I think that’s what I needed, honestly, a little bit of motivation,” he told a postgame interviewer. What’s the best part of his game, the interviewer asked.
“I don’t think I’ve shaped the ball like this in a long time,” Smith said. “I think it took a good golf course for me to commit to this. You go to some mediocre golf courses and it’s just kind of target golf, definitely not like that here, I think you have to hit the ball into the wind and fly into the wind to get close to the pin [on others]you have to be creative, you have to hit the ball, and I was able to do that, especially with the irons. “
What’s interesting about this answer is that it implies that a good golf course leads to good golf. Smith’s alternative – a bland golf course – resulted in less memorable golf shots. For a creative guy like Smith, his best chance to compete is when everyone has to play according to plan.
Smith further explained his shift in mindset; he said that instead of being stuck on the back foot, he was constantly trying to stay ahead of the game.
Smith shot a third-round 66 to enter Sunday’s final round tied for second. After the third round, he was again full of praise for Royal Melbourne.
“You just have to hit the right shots. It’s a cool golf course,” he said. “There are so many ways to approach the pin on so many holes and you can get as creative as you want or hit the ball right into the center of the green all day long; it’s a cool place to be.”
Here’s my experience watching it on TV; the Australian Open is a great nighttime option for anyone on Pacific time. The appearance of Rory McIlroy and the presence of Royal Melbourne as the host course heightened the interest and drama of the event. The Australian stars took something from there; Smith, Adam Scott and Min-woo Lee all made the final round in the top six. (McIlroy is just outside the competition.)
