Sunday Session: Cameron Smith taking on the golfing world
He was initially known as Queensland’s other Cameron Smith in his early career, but the Wantima golfer has made his own name in the world of sport and become one of our finest atheletes. Read Robert Craddock’s full interview here.
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EVENTFUL: Insane day at The Masters
Wantima golfer Cameron Smith, seven shots off the pace entering this morning’s third round, is contesting his third Masters and has steadily risen up the world rankings with great poise and minimum of fuss and fanfare.
He talks about why links to his home club are important, why his credit card runs hot in the Masters merchandise shop, why he loves rugby league but stopped playing it and how the biggest hitters in golf now have their own distinct sound.
You have just been summoned from the front yard playing football with your mates to talk to me. Old habits die hard?
Yes I was just kicking the rugby league ball around with my mate. They don’t understand over here what we are doing ... I am getting some weird looks.
When you arrive at the Masters do you sometimes feel a golf nuffy as well as a player?
Oh yes. I have been here three times and each time I go into the merchandise shop which is amazing. I have picked up a whole lot of stuff. I just cannot help myself.
What’s the one special souvenir you just have to have?
I try to buy a flag at every major I play in. I have a little putting green out the front of my place. It’s not that good – I don’t practice on it – but there’s a hole and a flag and I change the flag depending on what major is next.
You have a reputation for having one of the best short games in golf – was this skill natural or manufactured?
A fair chunk of it is feel. Just growing up with golf you learn how hard to hit it. I played a lot of sports and you learn how hard to kick a footy or how far to throw a ball. I played a bit of rugby league and cricket growing up and everything has helped out.
What sort of rugby league player were you?
I was pretty dog shit. I was not too bad in attack but could not tackle to save my life. I gave it away because of that. I was not helping out the team too much.
Who did you play for?
The Albany Creek Crushers until I was 12 and then gave it away.
If you could give one chipping tip for weekend hackers what would it be?
Watch your tempo. I see so many different tempos, like too quick on the way back then decelerating into the ball or slow on the way back then really quick into the ball. I would say just try to make it as 50-50 as you can.
The distances players hit these days are amazing. Who is the biggest you have seen?
Probably Brooks Koepka. He is the most fascinating to watch off the tee. There are probably 10 guys out there who, when they hit the ball, make a sound that is completely different to the rest of us. He is one of them. It is quite odd.
At 25 you are one of golf’s young stars – is the sport doing enough to attract youngsters?
The Australian tour and the PGA tour are doing a good job of engaging with young fans and doing the little silly stuff the younger people like on social media. They are very creative.
You are well know for your love of old cars. What was your favourite car?
When I first turned pro and I made my first bit of money I bought a Subaru STI and I have still got it now. I have done a few things to make it go a bit quicker. That is the old favourite. I used to watch quite a bit of rally racing when I was growing up and I loved watching Colin McRae who drove a Subaru. My mum also had a Subaru and I kind of fell in love with her car and even bought it off her.
Who was you boyhood sporting hero?
Probably Darren Lockyer. Maybe even Cameron Smith. Anyone of the Queensland maroons and Tiger Woods.
You finally got to meet your namesake, Cameron Smith, didn’t you?
Yes. The link between us is pretty funny. We met midway through last year. Patty Welsh got us together and we got to chat and hang for a bit afterwards. He was a good fella.
Have you ever played with Tiger Woods?
No, it’s one of the things I would like to do. I have seen him on the driving range and noticed how he is 100 per cent into everything and I have taken away something from that. He always says hello.
Do you still wear a maroon shirt on the last day of a tournament?
Yes, I wear it every Sunday. When I am around the lead and have a chance it definitely fires me up. That is for sure. I mark my ball with an Australian one dollar coin.
I hear you’ve have had a cheer squad over for the Masters.
I have had most of the family and a few friends – about 14 all up.
You have gone from being an unassuming you lad on the rise to a global star who is now front and centre in a lot of promotions for Australian golf. Was it hard to handle?
Not really because my rise was quite steady. It did not suddenly happen overnight. It was sort of a little bit at a time and I think that helped.
One thing that stands out about a lot of the Queensland guys is they have retained links to their clubs like Rod Pampling at Caboolture and John Senden at Keperra and yourself at Wantima. They seem strong?
Yes, they are. It’s not just a matter of being something we should do ... you enjoy doing it. I really like spending time with the members at Wantima and met old friends there. It’s quite special and I think outside Australia I don’t think it happens a lot.
MORE SUNDAY SESSIONS:
● RUGBY LEAGUE: Maroons champion Paul Vautin
● CRICKET: Australian batting legend Greg Chappell
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