Cameron Smith’s Drought: Can Queensland Heat Rekindle Australian Golf Star’s Fire?
The Australian PGA Championship, beginning November 27th, presents a critical juncture for Cameron Smith, as he battles a prolonged slump in form and seeks to recapture the magic that once defined his career. Smith’s current struggles are starkly contrasted by the recent success of his beloved Brisbane Broncos, a parallel that underscores the weight of expectation as he returns to compete on home soil.
A Tale of Two Droughts
Putting out on the 54th hole in Indianapolis in August, one couldn’t help but wonder what felt longer for Cameron Smith: his two-year wait for another professional win, or the 19-year title drought of the Brisbane Broncos. Smith was just 12, honing his skills at the Wantima Country Club, when the Broncos last secured the NRL premiership. The Broncos’ championship drought finally ended this year, sparking jubilant celebrations across the state. Ironically, Smith missed witnessing the historic victory firsthand, as he was competing in the Dunhill Links in Scotland. “I was actually in Scotland playing the Dunhill Links,” Smith revealed to reporters at Suncorp Stadium. “And if I had known that the Grand Final was on the same week as the Dunhill Links, maybe I wouldn’t have played.” He added that a rain delay pushed his final round to coincide with the Grand Final, forcing him to follow the game on silent during his warm-up and throughout his round.
From Open Champion to LIV Struggles
Smith’s own professional fortunes have taken a dramatic turn since his triumph at the 2022 Open Championship and his subsequent move to LIV Golf. What once appeared a bold step forward has, for many observers, become a source of concern. He has not won a professional tournament since LIV Bedminster in August 2023, and his performance at major championships has significantly declined. This year, Smith missed the cut at all four majors, and finished no higher than T7 in any of LIV Golf’s events, culminating in a sixth-straight missed cut at the Saudi International.
A Return to Familiar Territory
Despite his recent struggles, Smith arrives in Brisbane with a history of success at the Australian PGA Championship, having won three of the past seven tournaments held in Queensland. He acknowledges the significance of playing in front of a home crowd and on a course where he has previously excelled. “Obviously, it’s a course that I love and have played well at,” Smith stated. “I think just being at home brings that (playfulness) back a little bit as well, and obviously having success here at RQ probably helps.” However, he also downplayed the pressure of expectation, claiming he “never really plays with expectations.”
Is LIV Golf to Blame?
The question of whether LIV Golf is hindering Smith’s performance looms large. While he enjoyed initial success on the LIV circuit, his form has steadily deteriorated. A former golfer and podcast host suggested that LIV Golf may have inadvertently “stuffed his game,” arguing that many players who joined the league weren’t “die hard professional golfers.” Another former Australian PGA Championship winner noted Smith’s struggles off the tee, stating, “No one drove it worse than him at the majors last year.” More critical assessments have emerged, with one analyst describing Smith as an “at bottom” golfer since joining LIV, lamenting the loss of a player once on track to become a golfing great.
The debate centers on the intensity of competition and the structure of LIV Golf’s events, with some arguing that the three-round format and guaranteed paydays have diminished the competitive edge of its players. A Sky Sports expert pointed to the importance of pressure and rigorous training, suggesting that LIV Golf’s format doesn’t provide the same level of intensity as the PGA Tour. However, with LIV Golf set to switch to a four-round format in 2025, Smith may soon have the opportunity to test this theory.
Beyond the PGA: The Stonehaven Cup Elusive
The Australian PGA Championship is followed by the Australian Open, an event that has proven particularly challenging for Smith. He came close to winning the Stonehaven Cup in 2016, losing in a playoff to Jordan Spieth, but has since experienced frustrating results, including missing the 54-hole cut in 2022 and a mid-tournament slump in 2023. Despite a field of Australian golfing legends having lifted the Stonehaven Cup – including Adam Scott, Greg Norman, and Peter Thomson – Smith’s name remains notably absent.
A Pivotal Moment
As Smith steps onto the tee at Royal Queensland, his chances of victory appear slim based on current form. However, he remains optimistic, believing his recent results don’t fully reflect his capabilities. “It’s kind of been the story of the year, I guess I thought I’ve played better than what I’ve scored,” he said after the Saudi International. The Australian summer of golf represents a crucial test, not only for Smith’s immediate prospects but also for the broader question of whether LIV Golf is hindering its star players. Failure this weekend will only amplify those concerns. Ultimately, Smith’s performance in Queensland could be a turning point, potentially shaking off the “Broncos-sized monkey” from his back and setting the stage for a resurgence in 2026 and beyond.
