Cam Smith Seeks Turnaround at Australian Open — Aiming to End 36‑Hole Cut Drought

Cameron Smith arrives at Royal Melbourne for the Australian Open still searching for answers after failing to make a 36‑hole cut in seven non‑LIV starts this year, including all four majors. Once ranked No. 79 at the end of last year, Smith now sits at No. 354 in the world — a slide compounded by the fact that LIV events do not earn Official World Golf Ranking points.

Smith's struggles and mindset

More than two years have passed since Smith's last victory, and his results have been inconsistent. He missed the cut at the Dunhill Links Championship, the Saudi International and the Australian PGA Championship last week, where he opened with a 69 at Royal Queensland but closed with a double‑bogey 75 and missed the cut by four shots. Smith admitted the pressure has been affecting him: 'Golf doesn’t owe me anything. I have to go out there and work... I think it is in my head.'

On the 54‑hole, no‑cut LIV circuit, Smith recorded five top‑10s in 13 individual events, with a best finish of tied for fifth in Mexico City. He remains focused on process: 'I do know what the answer is and that’s just to keep working hard and be patient... I just want to get back to where I was.'

Rory McIlroy on LIV and unification

Rory McIlroy, who has been an outspoken voice on the sport's split, reiterated that while unification would be best for golf, he doubts it will happen. Speaking at the CNBC CEO Council Forum, McIlroy criticized the scale of LIV’s spending and suggested the league may need another $5–6 billion to stay competitive. 'I’m way more comfortable being on the PGA Tour side than on their side,' he said.

British Open 'Last Chance Qualifier'

The R&A announced a new 12‑player 'Last Chance Qualifier' to be held on the Monday of next year’s Open at Royal Birkdale. Twelve players will play 18 holes for one spot in the 156‑player field. The entry list will include the top two available players in the world rankings not already exempt, the British Amateur runner‑up (if still an amateur), players who narrowly missed Final Qualifying and others who just missed out in Open Qualifying Series.

Other notes and context

Keegan Bradley described his season as both the best of his career in many ways and emotionally mixed because of the Ryder Cup outcome. PGA Tour Enterprises CEO Brian Rolapp framed the sport’s fracture as an opportunity for long‑term growth, noting that many sports have emerged stronger after crises.

Additional items: the Australian Open returns to Kingston Heath in 2026; Rory McIlroy has committed to play the Australian Open in 2025 and 2026; Nelly Korda announced her engagement; Fred Biondi earned a European Tour card and is pursuing PGA Tour Q‑school advancement; and Will Zalatoris is returning to competition at the Nedbank Golf Challenge after back surgery.

Stat of the week

Sixteen former PGA Tour winners, including Jimmy Walker and Nick Watney, are competing in the second stage of Q‑school this week.

Final word: 'I remember when I turned pro, and I looked at some of those guys who are my age now, and how old I thought they were. And that’s me.' — Adam Scott, 44.