Cameron Smith already planning defence of Open Championship title, says he’s a ‘little flick’ from major-winning form
- Australian believes he is close to being tournament ready ahead of last major of the year at Royal Liverpool
- Smith has won just one LIV event, in Chicago last September, since leaving PGA Tour
Cameron Smith is already thinking about his defence of his Open Championship title in July, believing he just needs “a little flick of the switch” to get back to winning ways.
The Australian won at St Andrews last year after a sizzling final round 64 saw him overtake favourite Rory McIlroy, before stunning the golf world weeks later by defecting to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.
While the US PGA Tour banned LIV players and a legal fight is set for a 2024 trial, major tournaments have allowed those who qualify to compete.
That includes Smith, who hit a final round 66 to finish an encouraging tied third behind winner Talor Gooch at the inaugural LIV event in Australia on Sunday.
“I’ve already thought about it, I promise you,” he said of his Open defence at Royal Liverpool. “We’re playing a lot of golf, which is nice. I guess that tournament readiness feels like it’s really there.
“It’s just a little flick of the switch and everything is back in line, and it was how it was last year.”
