Smith prays for luck at brutal St Andrews

Darren Walton | July 14, 2022

Even while fancying his chances like never before, Cameron Smith concedes there’ll be an element of “hit and hope” when he hunts down the Claret Jug at the baked-out home of golf.

St Andrews’ rock-hard fairways remind Smith of playing back home but the Australian No.1 is predicting the firm and fast conditions may also prove perilous at the 150th British Open starting on Thursday.

“It’s so hard to keep the ball on the fairways that it seems like you’re constantly hitting from that longer grass where you don’t have as much control,” Smith said.

“And given the terrain and the humps and hollows in front of the green, you really are kind of guessing into the greens.

“Links golf is trying to hit the perfect shot and hoping for the best. You are going to get yourself into some ugly spots. You’ve just got to be ready for it.

“You’ve got to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

The world No.6 says the best way to cope with some forecast “brutal” conditions is to suck up the bad breaks.

“At some points it will be unfair, I think,” Smith said.

“But you’ve just got to move on and deal with it as best you can and try and make those birdies when you can.” 

Ranking second for birdies this year on the PGA Tour and with two big wins already in 2022, Smith enters his maiden Open at the Old Course believing he has his best chance yet.

“I’ve played the best golf of my life this year, for sure,” Smith said.

“I love the golf course. It would be awesome to win an Open here. I think it’s everyone’s dream growing up to win an Open at St Andrews.

“So don’t want to jinx myself, but I’m feeling pretty good. The game feels good. I had a good weekend up at the Scottish Open. It was good to see some putts drop and a couple of low numbers over the weekend.

“So, yeah, hopefully I can get it done.”

Ash Barty was a keen observer, watching the Australian trio of Smith, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman play their final practice rounds on Wednesday.

And after watching good mate Barty last year become the first Australian woman to win Wimbledon since 1980, Smith hopes the retired tennis star’s support proves an omen as the heavyweight trio try to break the country’s 29-year Open title drought.

“I would say this golf course probably reminds us a little bit of home,” Smith said.

“It’s really firm and really fast, which I think the Aussies really enjoy.

“We’re going to have a tough time keeping the ball on the fairway this week given how firm and fast and windy it’s been.

“A lot of balls have been running off into the rough. So just got to be kind of wary of that.

“But Leish and Scotty were hitting it pretty good today as well. So it should be a good week.”

Min Woo Lee is the first Australian out on Thursday, off in the opening group at 3.35pm AEST.

Smith tees off at 5.03pm with Brooks Koepka and Seamus Power, while Scott and Leishman hit off with Dustin Johnson at 10.15pm.