The 150th Open champion Cameron Smith is coming home to his adoring fans this summer, and he will be joined at Victoria and Kingston Heath golf clubs by Women’s Open champion Ashleigh Buhai for the ISPS Handa Australian Open from December 1-4.
World No.2 Smith is enjoying a career-best year having won the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in January and the Players Championship in March before his Major breakthrough at St Andrews last month.
“I’ve had an unbelievable year and to be coming home to play tournaments is the icing on the cake,” Smith said.
“I’m so excited to see friends and family again. Some of them I haven’t seen for years now and once I get to the golf course, I’ve got my eye on some more trophies.
“It will be my first time playing in Melbourne since the 2019 Presidents Cup, which was one of the best experiences I’ve had in golf. The crowds were incredible that week and I’m looking forward to a similar atmosphere at Victoria and Kingston Heath.”
Smith will also be a welcome addition to the PGA field in his home city of Brisbane a week earlier, from November 24-27.
“Winning the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in 2017 and 2018 was awesome, so to be playing in Queensland again, wearing my maroon shirt on Sunday around Royal Queensland will be very special.”
Smith joins his good mate Marc Leishman and PGA Tour winner Lucas Herbert as Australian stars to commit to the first national open to feature men’s, women’s and All Abilities events playing for equal prizemoney of minimum $3.4 million.
Smith, 29, is intent on capping off his unforgettable 2022 with more silverware on Australian soil and he will also tee it up at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland from November 24-27.
PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman was delighted to have Smith as an integral part of the summer of golf.
“An Australian who has won a Major championship this year coming home to play in front of their loyal fans is one of the great stories in Australian sport,” Kirkman said.
“Australian golf fans, and especially his fellow Queenslanders, have been itching to see Cameron in action again as his star has risen over the past few years.
“He is trying to win this event for a third time and he will get to see Cameron at his best: relaxed, playing in front of family and friends, showing his exquisite skills and having a great time.
“It’s what golf is all about, and you do not want to miss out on being a part of it.”
Buhai, 33, is the latest high-profile international to confirm their place in the tournament – after New Zealand’s top-ranked men’s golfer Ryan Fox kicked off the international signings last week – and the South African’s commitment is a major coup.
Earlier in the month Buhai won her first Major on the fourth playoff hole at Muirfield and, like Smith, she is eager to top off her stellar year Down Under.
“I love coming to Australia and playing on some of the best golf courses in the world,” Buhai said.
“I played at Victoria Golf Club in the Women’s Australian Open in 2014 and, even though I missed the cut, I know it’s a fantastic venue and Melbourne is a great place. If I can add another trophy to my collection that would be a great way to end an already very special year.
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said securing Smith and Buhai was a huge boost to both the Australian Open and Australian golf.
“Over the past few years Australians golf fans have loved following the rise of Cameron Smith,” Sutherland said. “He delights fans of all ages and even young kids have been inspired by him, turning up to golf sporting mullets and dreaming of playing like him. For Australian golf fans this is a great opportunity to come and watch Cameron – and to recognise his brilliant achievements, including his most recent Open Championship victory.”
Announcing the two recent winners of the men’s and women’s Open Championship in one day is a sign of the star-studded fields that are building for the Australian Open.
“Ashleigh Buhai is one of those stars and her commitment to the event highlights how well-received our new format has been internationally. She is a Major champion and she wants to not only be a part of it. The presence of this year’s Open champion and AIG Women’s Open champion is a great coup for the event and golf fans should not miss the opportunity to see them in action.”
