Home hero Cameron Smith desperate for first win of 2024 at Australian PGA

Cameron Smith, aged 31, is acutely aware that time is of the essence as he seeks his first victory of 2024. The major champion is eager to achieve this milestone in his hometown of Brisbane during the upcoming Australian PGA Championship.

This prestigious event, held at the Royal Queensland Golf Club, is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and marks the inaugural stop of the European circuit's global schedule for 2025.

As the 2022 British Open champion, Smith stands out as the most prominent competitor in a field that also features former world No. 1 Jason Day and the defending champion, Min Woo Lee.

Despite his accomplishments, Smith has yet to secure an individual win this year and faces a limited number of tournaments to alter that outcome.

Following the Australian PGA, he is set to participate in the Australian Open next week in Melbourne, followed by the Asian Tour's Saudi International in early December.

"I would be thrilled for my first win of 2024 to occur here," Smith, a member of Royal Queensland, expressed on Tuesday.

"I had hoped it would happen a bit sooner. I feel an increased pressure with the number of tournaments dwindling."

He is keen to maintain a streak of winning at least one tournament globally each year since 2020, encompassing the PGA, DP World, and LIV Golf tours, especially after experiencing several near misses in 2024.

On the LIV Golf circuit, he achieved three second place finishes and contributed to his team, Ripper GC, clinching the league's season-long title.

His best performance in the majors this year was a tie for sixth place at the Masters.

To enhance his game, Smith returned to Australia in October and participated in two modest state-level events.

At the Queensland PGA Championship, he finished tied for third and secured second place behind Lucas Herbert at last week's New South Wales Open.

Herbert, another Australian, is also competing this week.

Smith is resolute in his desire to redeem himself after last year's Australian PGA, where, as the defending champion, he recorded a disappointing seven-over 78 in the second round and failed to make the cut.

At that moment, he struggled to hold back tears and acknowledged that a lack of competitive play contributed to what he described as his worst day in a decade as a professional golfer.

Smith expressed on Tuesday, "I believe my game is currently in an excellent position. I have dedicated significant preparation, especially over the past month, to ensure I am competitive. My goal is to be in contention come Sunday."