[Photo: Getty Images]
A refreshed Cam Smith believes the pieces of his game are coming together at the perfect time as he returns to Royal Birkdale looking to add another chapter to his Open Championship story.
Four years after lifting the trophy at St Andrews, Smith arrives at the 154th Open Championship confident in his preparation and ready for the unique challenge of links golf.
The Queenslander arrived in Southport last Wednesday, earlier than usual for a major championship, to give himself extra time to adjust to the conditions at Birkdale.
“I’m usually not one to treat a major differently,” Smith said.
“I like to feel like it’s a normal tournament, but given I hadn’t played for a few weeks, I thought it was probably necessary to come over early and just play some links golf to get ready.”
The 32-year-old believes the course is already providing the type of test expected at an Open Championship, with firm fairways and fast conditions demanding creativity and patience.
“It’s firm, it’s getting faster, but it’s not so crazy yet,” said Smith, whose first Open Championship was at Birkdale in 2017, pictured below.
“I couldn’t imagine them getting any firmer. The greens could definitely get a little bit firmer, but they’ve always done a good job managing that.
“Downwind you’re hitting a 3-iron 300 metres, which is pretty crazy. You’re kind of holding your breath until you see the ball actually stop because it could go into the rough, off a runoff or into a bunker. So, it’s perfect.”
[Photo: Getty Images]
Encouraged by the progress in his game, Smith says he is feeling more natural in himself and hopefully it can translate into a win this week.
“I’d love another one. That’s why we work hard to win golf tournaments,” said Smith, who split with long-time coach Grant Field after missing the cut at The Masters.
“The game’s feeling really nice. The stuff with Claude (Harmon) is slowly starting to kind of grain in and feel a little bit more natural.
“I don’t have to think about it so much and can just get back to hitting shots, which is what you need to do at a British Open. You need to be creative, you need shots low and high, so it’s come at a good time.”
Smith is one of seven Australians set to battle Birkdale this week, with Adam Scott, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Lucas Herbert, Travis Smyth and Cam John featured in the field.
While Australia has enjoyed success at The Open, Smith knows just how difficult it is for Aussies to win major championships.
“There hasn’t been a ton of major winners and it’s definitely difficult to do. You need to get your game the right week,” he said.
“Given there’s only four opportunities a year, everything needs to line up.
“I feel like we’ve given it a pretty decent crack and then we’ve got a ton of young kids behind us so they’re going to give it a crack for years to come. I like our chances this week.”
Smith believes the next generation of Australian golfers can continue to challenge on the world stage, pointing to the recent form of players including Lucas Herbert and Min Woo Lee.
“Herbie’s been playing some great golf with a win a couple of months ago,” Smith said.
“The more you look at it, you kind of think that everyone has a chance. It’s got to be their week.”
Smith, who last week confirmed his attendance at the 2026 BMW Australian PGA Championship and Captial.com men’s Australian Open, also welcomed the prospect of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler coming down under.
The Queenslander joked that Australia’s food and coffee culture could be the perfect incentive.
“Meat pies and flat whites,” Smith said of key Scheffler selling points.
“He’s a coffee snob, Scottie, so I think we really need to sell him on the flat whites. Maybe just give him unlimited flat whites. I reckon he’d get down there.”
Smith said attracting the world’s best players would continue to strengthen Australian golf following the success of the recent Aussie majors.
“It’s (Australian Open) trending in the right direction, particularly after last year,” he said.
“It was awesome to see the crowd down there in Melbourne and Rory (McIlroy) come down and a few other blokes.
“Exciting time for Australian golf, I feel like.”
The 154th Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale with Smith to tee off at 9:14pm AEST.
All four rounds of The Open will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo Sports, Round 1 coverage starting at 3:30pm Thursday AEST.
MORE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE HERE
