“I try to get back home as much as I can,“ says Cameron Smith, former World No. 2, who’s once again back on his home soil, participating in the prestigious NSW Open. The golfer is known for his deep patriotism, and it’s that strong connection to his country that keeps drawing him back. And it’s clear that his return isn’t just a big deal for him—tournament organizers are pretty excited too.

Graeme Phillipson, Chief Operating Officer at Golf NSW, recently shared his thoughts in an interview, and it’s clear that with Smith’s loyal fan base, one thing is for sure: a massive crowd will be following him. “His presence will undoubtedly elevate the level of competition and create an incredible atmosphere for all attendees. We were anticipating large crowds this year, but the numbers will be massive thanks to his star power,” Phillipson said.

And that’s exactly what happened! As Smith, his fellow LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert, and amateur Declan O’Donovan teed off at No. 10 at 7:20 am, hundreds of fans walked the fairways alongside them. And guess what? Smith wasted no time impressing the crowd, hitting birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th holes to take the lead before the turn. The 2022 British Open champion kept his momentum going, picking up three more birdies on the back nine to finish with a 64. That was good enough for a one-stroke clubhouse lead over his LIV Golf Ripper GC teammate Lucas Herbert, with Andrew Martin and Nathan Page matching Herbert’s 65.

Cameron Smith’s presence at the NSW Open has added a whole new level of excitement to the tournament. While the event usually attracts a regional crowd with opportunities to see local players and rising stars, having a name like Smith’s in the mix has brought attention from both the hardcore golf community and casual spectators, eager to witness world-class talent competing on Australian soil.

Cameron Smith stays true to his roots

Once a staple on the PGA Tour, Cameron Smith made the big switch to LIV Golf in 2022. While the lucrative deals of the Saudi-backed league were certainly a big factor, Smith’s decision was also deeply personal. In November 2023, Smith shared the real reason behind his shift when asked by a Sky Sports host. “To spend more time in Australia, with friends and family,” he said. And LIV Golf has made it possible for Smith to live out that dream of returning home more often and traveling the world, something the PGA Tour didn’t allow him to do with the same flexibility.

Before joining LIV Golf, Smith had to seek special permission from the PGA Tour if he wanted to play events in Australia. But with the season-ending structure of LIV, Smith now has the freedom to play back-to-back events in his home country without the hassle. This has been a game-changer for the 31-year-old, especially when it comes to his goal of winning the Australian Open.

In fact, Smith has expressed how much he wants to get his hands on the Stonehaven Cup. “I think most people would know how much I want to win an Australian Open, so I am looking forward to challenging for the Stonehaven Cup again this year in Melbourne,” he said.

Though Smith hasn’t won the Australian Open yet, his determination to do so is clear. After playing several back-to-back tournaments in his home country, his familiarity with the Australian greens could give him the upper hand this time around.

Now, with Smith back in action at the NSW Open and showing some impressive form so far, who knows? He might just clinch that long-awaited victory. What do you think? Will Smith be able to honor his country with a win? Let us know in the comments!