Cameron Smith confident of overcoming five-shot Queensland PGA deficit

Tournament drawcard Cam Smith hung tough in the second round of the Queensland PGA despite having a `cold’ putter.

“Old guy” Cameron Smith got “left behind” at Nudgee on Friday, but not enough to keep him out of Queensland PGA contention with two rounds remaining.

Having shot an 67 on Thursday, the 2022 British Open hung tough in round two with an even-par 72 despite having a “cold” putter.

Smith will enter Saturday’s third round five shots behind 23-year-old leader and defending champion Phoenix Campbell, who backed up his 66 on Thursday with a 68 on Friday to move to 10-under, a stroke ahead of 19-year-old Gold Coast amateur Billy Dowling, who shot a second-round 69 to follow up from his 66 in round one.

NSW amateur Declan O’Donovan, 21, is third at seven under (70 and 67), with 31-year-old Smith in fourth spot two shots further back after a longer-than-expected day of play due to hail storms that forced players off the course for more than an hour.

“Sometimes the old guy gets a little bit left behind,” LIV star Smith said when asked about the task of catching Campbell and Dowling in particular.

“It’s weird saying the old guy, because I feel like I’m not that old, but they’re two good golfers, and they’ll keep doing what they do over the weekend.

“It’s my job to try to chase them, so I’ll give it my best.

“Five shots over 36 holes is nothing, so the more you can limit that damage, the better.”

Round 2 leader predictions ⬇️#QldPGA | #TheChaseIsOnpic.twitter.com/VE4KuF3s90

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 1, 2024

Smith said his second-round 72, which included four birdies and four bogeys, “wasn’t as bad as it looked”.

“It actually felt pretty good. I got a few drives, I got a few dead bounces, and also a couple of bad drives as well, but getting the ball in the fairway around here seems to be impossible on a few holes,” he said.

“You’ve just got to take the good with the bad, especially when you’re trying to play pretty aggressive golf.

“I hit a lot of good putts today that just shaved the edge. The putter was a little bit cold.

“Hopefully the putter fires up over the weekend, and I’ll be right up there.”

Campbell described his round as “consistent”.

“I didn’t play quite as well as I did (on) Thursday, but ... I birdied those holes where you can have a crack,” the emerging Victorian talent said.

“I hung in there all day. It wasn’t my best stuff, but I’m happy with the outcome.”

Campbell said he could not afford to worry about a lurking Smith this weekend.

“I’d like to think I’m pretty comfortable with the lead and I’d like to think I can play my own game,” he said.

“I can’t really worry about what everyone else is doing.”

Dowling, a former Cameron Smith Scholarship holder, was content with his “solid” effort on Friday.

“It’s about coming up with a game plan on how to go about playing the course,” Dowling said.

“You don’t need to try to force birdies. If you can just minimise the bogeys, then the birdies will come.”

Dowling was certain Smith would make a charge over the final two rounds.

“I’m sure over the weekend he’s going to make a few birdies, so he’s definitely not out of it, and it should be a good watch for everyone.”

Queensland PGA Round Two leaderboard

-10: Phoenix Campbell (VIC)

-9: Billy Dowling (a) (QLD)

-7: Declan O’Donovan (a) (NSW)

-5: Cam Smith (QLD)

-4: Harry Hillier (NZL), Ben Eccles (VIC), Blake Proverbs (QLD), Lucas Higgins (NSW)