Cameron Smith confident of ending horror US Open run

The US Open has always been a battle for Cam Smith, but he’s hit Los Angeles ready to rumble this week.

Cameron Smith is looking forward to a big US Open. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP

A jam-packed recent schedule playing testing golf courses around the world has “flipped a switch” for Cam Smith, who is confident of turning around a recent poor US Open record in Los Angeles.

The Australian didn’t start his 2023 campaign until late February and the spaced-out early events on the LIV tour where he plies his trade allowed Smith to rebuild after a longer than normal lay-off.

But having played two majors, at the Masters and PGA Championship, as well as LIV events in Australia, Singapore and the US, Smith’s increased time on course has helped him rediscover the groove that helped produce five wins, including at the British Open, in 2022.

“I think the last few months, though, we’ve played a lot of golf. We’ve played all around the world and seen a lot of different courses, a lot of different tests, and I think it’s actually been really good for the game,” Smith said in LA.

“The last six or seven weeks the game has started to feel like it’s really flipped a switch and has started to be in the right direction. These couple of weeks have been nice, though.”

Cameron Smith with fellow Aussie Adam Scott at The Los Angeles Country Club. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP

A break since his last event in Oklahoma also allowed some breathing space, and Smith even hosted two juniors from Australia – Joseph Buttress and Jeffrey Guan – as he went into teaching mode, which helped his refocus on his own game too.

“I think it was kind of a really busy, stressful time travelling a lot as well, different continents and stuff like that. Two weeks at home, rest the body and rest the mind was really nice,” he said.

“I’ve had a couple of boys, junior guys, come over from Australia, and I’ve been able to show them around, play a few rounds with them, and it’s been good.”

Smith made his first major mark at the 2015 US Open at Chambers Bay when he finished in a tie for fourth.

But it’s been slim pickings since, and he’s missed the past two cuts, with a best finish of 38th in seven attempts since 2015, an issue he’s keen to address.

“I know my US Open record isn’t that great,” he said.

“For me, the driver has always been the one club where it gets me in trouble in the US Open and probably the PGA, the US PGA. You have to drive the ball strong.

Smith on the fourth hole during a practice round. Picture: Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

“I think that’s where a golf tournament can get away from me, but the driver is starting to feel really good, and I think there’s a few opportunities around here to make birdies, so I think that falls into my hands a little bit.”

Smith is one of seven Australians in the field at the Los Angeles County Club this week, with Adam Scott, Jason Day, Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert, Min Woo Lee and amateur Karl Vilips also flying the flag.

Originally published as Cameron Smith confident of ending horror US Open run