Australian PGA golf: British Open winner Cam Smith a major drawcard despite no world record

British Open champion Cam Smith revealed his number one tip to hundreds of fans while also detailing the tournament he really wants to win next.

Cam Smith may have fallen short of a world record attempt on Sunday but his return home has triggered a ticket rush which has brought Australian golf back to life.

Ticket sales to Thursday’s Australian PGA title at Royal Queensland are up 300 per cent on traditional years and corporate areas all but sold out as British Open champion Smith returns home for the first time in three years.

Smith will join the likes of Masters winner Adam Scott and Marc Leishman as star attractions as Australian golf regains a pulse it lost during Covid.

Smith and his coach Grant Field returned to Royal Queensland on Sunday for an attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records mark of 1073 for the world’s biggest golf lesson set in Mexico in 2011.

More than 1400 had registered but early morning rain, particularly on the Gold Coast, took its toll on numbers and which fell several hundred short of the record.

Crowds of fans mob Cameron Smith after his attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD record title for the largest golf lesson at the Royal Queensland Golf Club. Picture Lachie Millard

In one tip, Smith told the group that one thing he had learned from playing with amateurs of all standards throughout his career was that they often aimed in the wrong direction.

He said professionals often did not aim directly at the flag because there were safer options.

As much as he is motivated to win the PGA title for a third time, Smith is particularly keen to bag his first Australian Open at Victoria’s Kingston Heath course the following week.

“I have been fortunate enough to win the PGA twice,’’ Smith said.

“Don’t get me wrong I would love to win another one. But I have not won an Australian Open yet. I would love to knock that one off. For Aussie golfers it is one at the top of the list.’’

Smith has a frantic week ahead including Tuesday’s Australian Golf Awards where he is a white hot favourite to win the Greg Norman Medal for Australia’s standout performer of the year.

He had a memorable day on Saturday where he returned to his old club Wantima to play in a two person Ambrose with his sister Mel then take the British Open Trophy - the iconic Claret Jug - back to the clubhouse.

“It was good to be back in the club and have a few beers with the guys I have missed. I brought the Jug. It was a really good night. I think everyone enjoyed having their photos and having a sip out of the Jug for a little club like that was very neat for a little club on the northside.’’