Aussie superstar Cameron Smith is relishing the prospect of a return to “one of the best courses in Asia” at this week’s Hong Kong Open.
The Ripper GC skipper hopes that his debut on the Asian Tour’s International Series at the Hong Kong Golf Club will help to “maintain the mojo” that saw him finish second in the 2023 LIV Golf League’s individual standings.
Smith, the 2014 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, comes into the storied tournament as one of the marquee names in a star-studded field that also includes LIV Golf stablemates Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, Graeme McDowell, Patrick Reed and Thomas Pieters as well as Asian Tour stars including International Series Order of Merit leader Andy Ogletree and local hero Taichi Kho, the Asian Games gold medal winner.
Smith’s late-season form is sure to be box office for the Fanling galleries. The world No.20 secured two wins in the latter half of the season on the LIV Golf League in London and Bedminster, in a charge that secured runner-up spot on the podium behind RangeGoats GC’s Gooch in the 2023 standings.
“It is good to be back in a place that I feel comfortable,” Smith says. “It is a golf course I really love and we don’t get to play that style much anymore – it is a style of course I grew up with being Australian, so I can’t wait to get out there.
“It’s one of my favourite places here in Hong Kong – not only the city but the golf club as well. I have some pretty good memories here. It has been a while since I’ve been here so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes but I loved it last time and can’t wait to get out there and compete again this week.”
The Queenslander is delighted to get some game time in on The International Series, the elevated events on the Asian Tour, with the LIV Golf League having finished for the year.
“It’s a busy off season, I have added a couple more tournaments in Australia, and I want to improve and make my game better for next year,” he added. “It was a big reason why I came here, to fill up a five-to-six-week gap. I feel I don’t play well coming off the big gaps and it is nice to come here to get the mojo back or keep the mojo going, I’m looking forward to it.
“[I can’t wait] to get back home. I haven’t been back since April and will be staying until January so that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
