From Jim Ferrier, Australia’s first major champion, to Cameron Smith, the country’s most recent, the island continent affectionately known as Down Under continues to punch above its weight on the global golfing stage.
As we dissect Smith’s win at St Andrews, let’s take a look at how a young kid from humble beginnings in his home state of Queensland defied the betting online odds to secure his first major at the 150th Open Championship. Heralded for his bold approach to the game, Smith needed every ounce of his audacious stroke-play on the last day of proceedings if he was going to make up the four-shot deficit and catch leader Rory McIlroy. He did just that, creating history at the famed golf course by finishing 20-under par with a final-round 64.
His result was the best score to par in major championship history – and it’s safe to say that his performance left golf fans and pundits alike in awe of his brilliance. Birdieing the first five holes on his inward nine, followed by a two-putt to birdie on his last hole – the Australian’swillingness to go for it combined with his exceptional poise on the green made it incredibly difficult for the chasing pack of McIlroy, Cameron Young and Viktor Hovland to beat him down the stretch.
Smith’s triumph in Scotland caps off a phenomenal 2022,with his calendar year also including wins in the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the Players Championship in January and March respectively.
According to Smith, the victories that preceded July’s major win along with a more focused approach to his craft played an enormous role in aiding his success at The Open.
“I think some people would have called me probably lazy before maybe a year ago,” he said. “Just spending an extra half-hour on the back of the range with those drivers, I think my driver has really improved and it’s allowed my iron game to do what it’s meant to do.
“I don’t think I’ve changed a lot mentally. I think sometimes you get away from what you’re doing and I think it’s just a thing of getting back to what you know and what you know works.
“I’ve definitely been on that track a few times in my career but I think it’s honestly just belief. The Players (Championship) was a really big confidence booster.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be too long before I got one of these (majors). I’ve knocked on the door maybe one too many times now so it’s nice to get it done.”
Smith added that towards the end of last year, he had a lot of chances that he failed to capitalise on.
“I think that made me more eager, I guess, at the start of the year to really knuckle down and try and get over the line,” he said.
Whist his performance will no doubt go down in golfing folklore, Smith found himself involved in a media storm just three weeks removed from his victory at St Andrews. As of the time of writing, Smith has reportedly signed a deal with Saudi-backed rebel LIV golf tour worth upwards of £83 million.
With so much uncertainty surrounding where the Saudi tournament will fit into the wider golfing schedule, only time will tell whether a decision of that magnitude will bolster or hinder Smith’s game and overall star power moving forward.
