Cam Smith Refines Strategy Ahead of LIV Golf Adelaide Tournament
Cameron Smith, the Australian golf star who continues to express frustration over the perceived lack of respect for LIV Golf, believes he has finally discovered the ideal preparation method for the upcoming Adelaide tournament. Smith regards this event as the absolute pinnacle of the breakaway tour's offerings, setting a benchmark that other competitions strive to match.
Streamlined Schedule for Enhanced Performance
Smith is scheduled to tee off on Thursday at the prestigious Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, having consciously reduced his off-course obligations as the tournament's prominent ambassador. The golfer reflected on his improved approach, stating that he feels more prepared this year compared to previous editions. He emphasised the importance of arriving on the first day feeling fresh and fully energised, rather than fatigued or reliant on stimulants like coffee during play.
"I already feel like I have done a better job this year than I have in previous years," Smith remarked regarding his meticulous preparations. "The commitments have probably got a little bit less, so we can spend more time on the golf course."
He elaborated further, noting that "you want to be stepping up on Thursday ready to go; you don't want to be sleepy or tired or feel like you need a coffee halfway through a round — that was definitely the case last year."
Learning from Past Experiences in Adelaide
Smith enters the fourth edition of LIV Golf Adelaide armed with valuable insights from his prior participations. His best result in South Australia was a tied-for-third finish in 2023, which stands as the highest individual achievement for any member of his all-Australian team, Ripper GC. However, last year's performance saw him tied for 30th, a result he attributes to feeling drained by an overly demanding off-course schedule.
This time around, the 2022 British Open champion plans to deliberately avoid many of the social distractions surrounding the Adelaide event. This includes steering clear of Ripper GC's famous on-course "party house" located between the 13th and 14th tee boxes until the tournament's conclusion.
"I won't be attending until Sunday. I think I've had too many experiences in past years," Smith explained, highlighting his renewed focus on competitive excellence.
Adelaide as LIV Golf's Flagship Event
Smith, a three-time winner on the LIV Golf circuit, is particularly eager to secure an individual title at the Adelaide tournament, which he and many of his peers consider the tour's premier showcase.
"I think this is the gold standard, as do many of my peers out here," he asserted. "We're doing stuff this week that just keeps moving the needle with LIV. We're moving in the right direction, I would say, around the world, but this is still the gold standard."
World Ranking Points and Ongoing Disrespect
For the first time this year, LIV Golf events are offering world ranking points, albeit only for the top-ten finishers at each tournament. Smith welcomed this development as a step forward, though he acknowledged it as a work in progress.
"It's a work in progress probably still, but it is nice to have that behind us," Smith commented. "That has been a long time coming, so it's nice to get the recognition."
Despite this advancement, Smith remains vocal about the broader lack of respect he feels LIV Golf receives from the traditional golfing establishment. He pointed to the intense competition within the tour as evidence of its quality.
"It's so hard out here. I don't think we get the respect of the golfing world that maybe we deserve sometimes because of what it is and how we play," he stated.
Ranking Controversy and Teammate Support
Cameron Smith's own world ranking has plummeted since his move to LIV Golf, dropping from a career-high of world No. 2 to his current position of 227th. This dramatic fall has puzzled his fellow Australian and Ripper GC teammate, Lucas Herbert.
Herbert, who peaked at 40th in the world rankings in 2022 before joining LIV and is now ranked 227th himself, questioned the fairness of the current system.
"If they're going to have Cam Smith outside the top 100 in the world, I don't know that's necessarily a fair system," Herbert remarked. He added that his interest in world rankings diminished after switching tours, noting that "it seemed like the system wasn't maybe doing it the best way it could have."
As Smith prepares to compete in Adelaide with a refined and focused approach, his dual goals are clear: to claim victory at LIV Golf's flagship event and to continue advocating for greater recognition and respect for the tour and its players on the global stage.
