Australia's Cameron Smith eyeing Paris Olympics

Despite his previous standing as the world's number two golfer, Cameron Smith has slid to the 18th spot after joining the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, where players are unable to accumulate ranking points.

With only the top 60 players eligible to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Smith faces stiff competition from fellow Australians, including major winners Jason Day and Adam Scott, for a spot on the national team. This pressure has intensified his need to defend his Australian PGA Championship title this week at the Royal Queensland Golf Club to bolster his ranking.

Expressing his determination, Smith affirmed his desire to participate in the Olympics, stating, "Yeah, I definitely want to be there, 100%," during a conversation with reporters on Tuesday. However, he remains uncertain about the potential for changes in the qualification criteria.

Smith's pursuit of ranking points will continue at the Australian Open in Sydney next week, along with four more opportunities in the upcoming majors. He remains optimistic about maintaining his ranking, expressing the hope of representing Australia again by wearing the national emblem on his chest, considering it a profoundly meaningful experience.

The LIV Golf circuit's unsuccessful attempt to allow its players to earn ranking points was unanimously turned down by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) due to concerns regarding the format supported by Saudi Arabia. While LIV-affiliated players have been allowed to participate in the majors, those who gained exemptions in the past could potentially face exclusion as they are not accumulating ranking points.