Smith Australia return ends in embarrassment as LIV star suffers ranking blow

24 November 2023 , 18:02

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Cam Smith endured a week to forget (Image: (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images))

Cameron Smith's title defence at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship was a disappointing one, after the LIV Golf star missed the cut by nine shots after his opening 36 holes.

Smith returned to his home country's PGA Championship as a three-time winner, but his quest to add a fourth did not go to plan. The former world No. 2 has announced himself as Australia's top golfer in recent years, but Smith failed to show why at Royal Queensland.

The former Open champion kicked off his week by carding a frustrating two-over-par 73 on Thursday, and would have hoped to make his move up the leaderboard a day later.

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But things got even worse for Smith after he shot an uncharacteristic seven-over 78, as the Australian ended the week with just two birdies across 36 holes. On the back of his dismal week, Smith did not hold back in his post-round interview.

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" Australia has been so good to me, there's no reason to perform like that. Unacceptable," Smith said. "Yeah, no words. S***. I've performed under pressure before and it's not acceptable, a bit upsetting actually. I know what I'm doing, it's just going out there and committing to something is another thing."

The Australian headed back to his home country with added pressure this week, amid LIV Golf's ongoing wait Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition. Heading into 2024, LIV are set again set to host events without ranking points, which will see Smith and co continue to fall down the ranking list.

Cam Smith missed the cut in Australia (2023 Getty Images)

For the former Champions Golfer of the Year ranking points are set to be as important as ever next year, with Smith hoping to once again represent Australia at the Olympic Games in Paris. Ahead of this week's event, the Aussie admitted he was targeting this week's co-sanctioned DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia event, as well as next year's majors to earn an Olympic spot.

“I know the criteria," Smith said pre-tournament. "I don't know if that can change, but I’ve got these couple of events here [the Australian PGA and the Australian Open, which are co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and therefore receive world ranking points] and probably more looks again in the [2024] majors.

"So hopefully I can keep that ranking up and wear the [Australian] coat of arms on the chest again, it’s pretty special.”

Smith's first attempt in Queensland did not go to plan, but as he alluded to he will have the chance to make up for his missed cut at next week's Australian Open. Planning on an improved showing at The Lakes Golf Club in Adelaide next Thursday, a frustrated Smith commented: "I hope I can get it together for next week and put on a better show than that."

Joshua Lees