Australian Open: Cameron Smith aims for time with Jordan Spieth

Cameron Smith already shares a sponsor with Jordan Spieth. Next year, he competes alongside him on the US PGA Tour.

Cameron Smith fires a tee shot away ta Huntingdale during the Australian Masters.

Cameron Smith already shares a sponsor with Jordan Spieth. Next year, he will share a place on the US PGA Tour with the world No 1. This week, he hopes to share a round at the Australian Open with the defending champion.

“I hope so,” said Smith, who like Spieth is sponsored by Under Armour.

“I am not quite at his level yet but I hope so — it would be good. It would be awesome to play with Jordan (this) week.

“We’ll see what happens — I have no idea.”

Smith is coming off a breakout year in which he finished in a share of fourth at the US Open, clinching his full playing rights in the US for next year.

He heads to Sydney after a disappointing performance at the Australian Masters. Smith made the cut but he was never in contention as he finished in a share of 36th, well off the pace set by winner Peter Senior.

As poorly as he played, Smith took plenty away from the tournament after playing the opening two rounds alongside Adam Scott, picking the brain of the former world No 1 on all things from scheduling to the US Masters.

“We spoke a bit about just life really over there, a bit of scheduling,” Smith said.

“I learned a lot off Adam. It was an awesome experience to play with him, especially that first round.

“I did ask him about the Masters. I want to try to have a practice round around there with him. He said it’s all good, we just have to sort out a time.

“It has been a big year. I have played a few events and I am going to try my best in the next two weeks but I can’t wait until it is over really.

“A few weeks off would do me the world of good really. At the start of the year it was let’s just go out there and give it a shot.

“If it doesn’t work out, then I can play elsewhere and it will sort itself out. I didn’t really expect anything from myself. I just wanted to go out there and give it my best shot.

“As it turns out I got a PGA Tour card out of it.”

While Smith will arrive in Sydney hoping to end his year on a high, Spieth jets in as a prohibitive favourite to defend the title he won in a canter last year. Scott leads the local charge at The Australian Golf Club, although the world No 12 is coming off a disappointing performance at the Masters.

Scott played the opening 27 holes in 11-under and then the remaining 45 in seven-over. He struggled with his driving and his putting wasn’t much better.

Smith could sympathise. He too struggled to play his best at Huntingdale after a long but rewarding year.