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It took him until the 16th hole today, but Lucas Herbert was eventually able to snatch the Ford NSW Open lead from his Ripper GC teammate Cameron Smith, as the crowds continued to pour into Murray Downs Golf & Country Club.
36-hole leader over Smith, Herbert carded a blemish-free 6-under 65 to sit atop the leaderboard at 12-under in his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia start of this Summer, with Smith solo second at 10-under.
In a frustrating day in the heat combatting flies, Smith still managed a 3-under 68 today, but did not look his usual self, especially on his closing holes.
Four players are within reach at 9-under tied for third, with Josh Geary, Matias Sanchez, Corey Lamb and Dillon Hart all nipping at the heels of the two men at the top.
Geary, who had a 6-under 65 today including two eagles, will be joining Herbert and Smith in the final group tomorrow, the Kiwi no stranger to playing with the world’s best, his tied third finish in his home open earlier this year his most recent result.
With Smith continuing to make birdies today, he was able to hold onto his one-shot overnight lead for the majority of the round, even with Herbert finding another gear today.
In an incredible change of momentum however, Smith’s wayward drive and resulting bogey on the par-5 16th gave Herbert just the opportunity he needed to overtake. And take the opportunity he did.
Pouring in a long downhill eagle putt, to the delight of the packed hospitality tent behind the green, Herbert suddenly found himself with a two-shot lead with two holes to play on Friday, a lead he would not give up.
“I think he (Smith) was probably grinding a little bit there on the back nine and it did feel like somewhat of a match play situation,” said Herbert.
“I missed one on nine that I was kind of frustrated with because it was a bad putt, and I don’t really hit bad putts.
“It was a bit of a kick in the ass though and got things into gear for the back nine. Got a little lucky there a couple of times and made some nice putts when I needed to as well.”
With a potential showdown with Smith on the cards for Sunday, Herbert is relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with the 2022 Open Champion.
“I hope we both play really well tomorrow, break away from the field and it becomes a shootout. Push each other to play the golf,” he said.
“Whether I win or lose, I’ll learn a hell of a lot and it’ll be a hell of a lot of fun.”
Two players who uncharacteristically find themselves in the final few groups on Saturday, tied with each other for seventh at 8-under, are Alexander Simpson and Brett Drewitt.
Their reasons for not appearing in weekend feature groups on this Tour vary greatly however. Drewitt because he has carved out a career in the US between the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, Simpson because he doesn’t play much Tour golf at all.
Having pre-qualified for the Ford NSW Open at Club Barham on Monday, Simpson mainly features on the adidas Pro-Am series, the 41-year-old just happy to be playing well.
“I don’t sort of tend to get too far ahead of myself,” said Simpson “Yeah, I’ve been playing nicely coming into the week, but mostly without any sort of putts falling.
“Fortunately, that sort of turned around the last few days so that’s been good.”
Teeing off minutes before the likes of Smith and Herbert is a thrill for many of the guys on Tour, and Simpson is looking forward to a weekend he’ll never forget.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool really isn’t it?”, he said.
“It’s funny, I’m happy with how I played but yeah, I hadn’t considered any of that until I went into town, grabbed some lunch and just thought, ‘yeah, it’s cool'”. “
While it might not be everyday Simpson plays alongside a major champion, it is something that Drewitt feels extremely comfortable with and he’ll not be in awe of neither the Ripper GC teammates nor the crowds on the weekend.
“I’d say it gives you a little bit more confidence,” he said of his experience in the US. “I’ve played against some very strong fields, I’ve played with (Rory) McIlroy, I’ve played with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffle.
“I’ve played with all those guys, so I know what it’s like out there, and coming back home here, just knowing that I can compete with those guys over there as well gives me a boost of confidence.”
The only thing that may hinder Drewitt over the weekend is his lack of reps in recent weeks, the Sydneysider taking some time off towards the end of the year.
“Legs are a little sore. It’s been a while since I played, so walking around the course and stuff is harder than usual,” he said.
“It’s one reason why I came back, come back, just remember where I’m from, obviously see my parents and all that kind of stuff, but it’s just a nice way to hopefully build some momentum going into next year.”
Photo: Golf NSW
Ever a man of the people, Cameron Smith put on a show for the hundreds of fans who poured into Murray Downs Golf and Country Club early on day one of the Ford NSW Open, opening with a 7-under 64 to lead by one at the close of play.
Playing partner Lucas Herbert, who no doubt many of the fans were just as eager to see up close, had a day out of his own with a 6-under 65 to grab a share of second to headline a pack of players chasing Smith.
Tied with Herbert for second at 6-under is fellow Victorians Andrew Martin and Nathan Page, along with Queenslander Chris Wood.
Another secondary chasing pack has formed with five players tied sixth at 5-under. All Tour young-guns in Harrison Crowe, Matias Sanchez, Corey Lamb, Andrew Campbell and Kerry Mountcastle.
With the heat— and the fly count— down early, most of the players at the top of the leaderboard after Round 1 came from the morning groups.
Playing just his second Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia event of the summer – after a tie for third first up at the Queensland PGA – Smith barely missed a beat.
Going blow-for-blow with Herbert, Smith’s blemish-free card came up trumps, the 2022 Open champion pleased to have found his game early in the week.
“It’s a little bit tricky out there today,” said Smith. “I thought I’d do a really good job of just hitting lots of fairways and giving myself plenty of opportunities. That’s what you need to do around here.
“There’s plenty of wedges and the greens were nice this morning. Obviously being one of the first ones there to take advantage of that was pretty nice.”
Starting on 10, Smith missed an uphill birdie chance on 11 but was able to bounce back quickly with birdies at both 12 and 13 to get his round rolling.
Two more birdies at 15 and 16 had Smith turn in 4-under, already claiming the outright tournament lead that he would refuse to relinquish.
“Nothing really stuck out, there was just no real bad bits. Everything kind of seemed pretty solid,” he said.
Smith’s solidity continued on his second nine with three more birdies coming in, the Queenslander giving some credit to two familiar members of his group.
“It was nice having Sam (Pinfold) back on the bag. I had my coach (Grant Field) there at Nudgee and he was horrendous,” Smith joked.
“It was also nice having someone else (Herbert) there kind of pushing you along.
“We were obviously playing some really good golf together and when you have someone right there, it almost eggs you on a little bit more.”
Despite finishing one back of Smith, it was Herbert who got out of the gates early. But as Smith remained steady, Herbert was forced to bounce back from dropped shots on several occasions.
“If I can hang around Cam’s (Smith) score, most events I’m probably going to be doing pretty well,” said Herbert.
“Pretty happy with that. Had it going reasonably well there through 12, 13 holes and then just stumbled on a couple coming in.
“I felt like my game’s been kind of rusty coming into the week, so I can’t expect too much.
“To walk off 65, pretty happy with that.”
After two early birdies, Herbert made bogey on 13 after his tee shot found the left trees. However, the Victorian got on a run through the middle of his round, making five birdies in eight holes.
Bogeys followed at five and seven but spurred on by his duty to “keep Cam honest”, Herbert finished strong with consecutive birdies.
Herbert’s bogey on seven could have been a lot worse too, after the Victorian’s second on the long par-4 went long left towards the pond.
Fortuitously remaining dry on a patch of mud, Herbert was able to climb in and blast a wedge out without talking a penalty, besides the damage to his new pristine white shoes.
Another Victorian to start hot north of the Murray is Martin, who has just returned from a year on the DP World Tour courtesy of his top-3 Order of Merit finish two seasons ago.
After a missed-cut at Nudgee upon his return home, Martin was pleased to have started strong at Murray Downs.
“I would say it’s been a bit of a battle the last this year. I was actually pretty happy with how it was in Queensland, even though I missed the cut,” Martin said of his game.
“A lot of signs were there, and I was happy, I just needed to see the putts drop and a couple of tweaks with the putter.”
Growing up in Bendigo — as did Herbert — the Murray River region is very familiar territory for Martin who feels comfortable on this week’s layout.
“Growing up down the road, I played a lot of my school and junior stuff here,” he said.
“I’ve said for years, even when I first turned pro, the Murray’s the place to be. There are some great golf courses up here and always in good condition.
“Apart from the flies.”
Photos: Golf NSW
Catch all the action live from Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert’s opening rounds at the 2024 NSW Open at Murray Downs.
And we’re away on the tenth
With huge crowds surrounding the tenth tee, Smith launched his drive straight over the dogleg and looks to be in good shape. Attempting to follow, Herbert blocked his in what looks to be the right fairway bunker.
Not quite making the fairway trap, Herbert has just a wedge in from the right side of the fairway which he’s knocked in close.
From the very centre of the fairway, Smith’s flick wedge caught a nasty kick, leaving him with a 25ft birdie chance.
Both players just missed on the left edge and have tapped in for par.
Pin seeking on the 11th
With a tucked right pin on the par-3 11th, both Smith and Herbert have taken dead aim. Birdie chances incoming.
Herbert to putt first with an uphill 10ft chance, and he’s got it!
Smith now, also uphill from a similar distance, and his dies just on the right side. In for par.
Safely away on the 12th
With water all down the right, both players drives are safe on the par-5 12th. Herbert centre fairway, Smith just in the rough on the left but maybe with a better angle.
Both Herbert and Smith have gone for it in two. Smith just short, with long eagle putt from the front edge to a back pin. Herbert has gone long left, a chip with a bit of green to work with left.
With what has to be close to a 75ft putt, Smith rolls it to 6ft for a great chance at his first birdie of the day.
Herbert with amazing touch, knocks his chip within tap in range for birdie.
Bang! Smith rolls in his birdie as well.
Trouble lurking on the 13th
Herbert has sent his drive left on the par-4 13th, he will have to venture into the trees. Smith is way down the fairway in great shape.
Hitting from the red dirt under the trees, Herbert skips his second over the fairway bunker to the right side of the green, a great recovery.
Smith has just a flick wedge in, with no bunkers to contend with. Go time.
Smith knocks it in close setting up another fantastic birdie chance.
With not much green to work with, Herbert runs his third through the fringe, leaving 6ft to save his par.
Herbert lips hard on the right edge with his par putt, tap in bogey. While Smith rolls in his short birdie. Smith goes to 2-under while Herbert drops back to 1-under.
Green light special for both on 14
After two great drives, both Herbert and Smith have just a wedge in on the par-4 14th. Smith from just off the fairway on the left, Herbert from the right side of the fairway.
Both players have come up shorter than they would’ve liked to the back pin. Smith 20ft, Herbert 30ft.
Herbert and Smith’s outside birdie chances slide just past. Both tap in for par.
In close on 15
To a tucked front pin on the par-3 15th. Smith and Herbert have knocked it in close. Smith landing on the front edge and rolling to 6ft. Herbert stopping his dead behind the flag leaving 15ft.
Herbert rolls it in! The Victorian bounces back after his bogey on 13. Back to 2-under.
Not to be outdone, Smith rolls it in too! He’s 3-under on his day.
Social golf on 16
Both Smith and Herbert have found the right side of the fairway on the par-5 16th. Both with shots at the green, although Smith has to go over the trees creeping in.
Electing to layup, Smith looks to have lost it right finding the green side bunker. From the centre of the fairway Herbert has knocked his on, eagle putt incoming.
Smith has hit a fantastic mid range bunker shot to 6ft, another good birdie chance.
From the front edge of the green, Herbert’s eagle chance slides just by the right side. Tap in birdie to get him to 3-under.
Smith also rolls his birdie in!! He’s stays one ahead at 4-under.
Regulation stuff on 17
Both players found the fairway, both found the green, and both two putted. Onto 18.
Bombs away on 18
Playing first, Smith split the fairway, before Herbert launched his drive in the same spot, just running through the fairway but in no trouble.
Both players approaches spun more than anticipated leaving outside birdie chances.
Herbert’s birdie try slides by, as does Smith’s both have a bit left to clean up for par.
Easy as you like, two pars has Smith turn in 4-under, Herbert in 3-under. Smith tied at the top with Victorian Ben Eccles.
Up close and personal on 1
Smith and Herbert have drove it a long way down the short first, leaving just chips left for their second shots.
To ooos and ahhs from the crowd, Smith pulled out his short game magic, one-hop and stopping his ball a foot behind the pin.
Taking his in lower, Herbert stopped his ball just short of the hole, 3ft for birdie.
Both players confidently roll them in, and Smith has grabbed the outright lead at 5-under.
Work to do on 2
Both Smith and Herbert have come up short on the long par-3 second. Par will be a good result from here.
Herbert’s long birdie try pulls up short, and Smith’s slides by. Both with tricky par putts.
Smith is in safely, and so is Herbert.
Up and over the trees on 3
On the slight dogleg third, Smith and Herbert have both taken their drives over the trees and have great looks in. Herbert has absolutely bombed his right to the front of the green.
Another beautiful wedge leaves Smith a near tap-in for birdie.
Herbert brings his in low and it checks up to a near tap-in too. The Ripper GC team mates going blow for blow out here.
Smith hits! Herbert hits! Both players make birdie, and go 1 and 2 on the leaderboard.
Into the wind on 4
Turning back into the wind on the par-5 fourth, Smith’s drive has found the right fairway bunker, while Herbert has split the fairway with low piercing tee ball.
Forced to layup, Smith knocks an iron back into position. A wedge left for his third.
Herbert has the huge following crowd 10 metres behind him as he lines up to go for the green in two.
Not one to disappoint the people, Herbert launches a 3-wood, catching the left edge of the green.
Smith hits yet another great wedge, great birdie chance left.
Herbert’s second actually just rolled off the left edge, and with incredible touch almost holes the chip for eagle. Rolls by to 10ft for birdie.
Smith leaves the 20ft attempt just short, while Herbert knocks his in! They’re tied at the top at 6-under.
What a show these two are putting on for the fans that have come out early to follow their stars.
The long and the short of it on 5
It’s one of the toughest holes at Murray Downs, the long par-3 fifth, with water all the way to the green. Herbert’s ball has gone long right, while Smith’s hit the front bank and fed back down to the bowl at short of the green.
Smith has been brilliant today with wedge in hand, as he so often is, and almost holes it here on five. Tap in par.
Able to putt from off the green, Herbert rolls his attempt 6ft by. Work left for his par. It lips hard on the left edge and he gives his birdie from four right back.
Perfection on 6
Both players picked out a line over the centreline fairway trap with their caddies, and both executed to perfection.
Another wedge close for Smith, so too for Herbert. Both with great looks at birdie.
Smith rolls in another one!! The champ extends his lead at the top getting to 7-under.
Herbert rolls his just by, he stays at 5-under.
More fairways on 7
Smith down the middle, Herbert down the right. Both leaving great angles into the green.
Smith is safely on the green but Herbert has found some trouble. Going long left, his ball has found the pond.
Fortuitously, Herbert’s ball is sat up on the mud and he has a shot. It’s come out a lot better than he thought and had over-shot the putting surface. Scrambling to make bogey now.
Magic from Herbert leaves a tap in. It will be for bogey but from where he was, it could’ve been a lot worse. He drops back to 4-under.
Smith’s long birdie try comes up short, a tap in par to stay at 7-under atop the leaderboard.
Playing for position on 7
Both players have opted for irons off the tee on seven. With the hole doglegging to the left, Smith plays his ball up the middle, leaving a great angle in. Taking a more aggressive line, Herbert’s ball ducked under a tree on the corner and has rolled out to the centre of the fairway.
After actually just rolling through the fairway, Smith faces some tree trouble for his approach.
Hitting a masterful little cut with wedge, Smith’s ball lands right by the hole, and stops 10ft by.
Not to be upstaged, Herbert takes dead aim and all but holes it!! Taps in for birdie!
Smith rolls his attempt by, but cleans up for par.
With one hole to play, Smith is 7-under, Herbert 5-under.
Way up there on 9
Both players have gone for it on the short par-4 ninth. Herbert is safely green side left, while Smith is in the trees left but he has a shot. He’ll need some magic here.
Trundling a wedge down the hill, Smith’s second comes up short of the green.
Herbert now, nips a nice chip, leaving 4ft for a closing birdie.
Smith’s putt from the fringe slides by, and he will tap in for a closing par and opening round 7-under 64.
Herbert now for birdie, it’s in!! He closes with birdie for a 6-under 65 in round one.
Smith and Herbert are currently 1 and 2 on the leaderboard.
As a winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR and most recently part of the victorious Ripper GC LIV Golf, the fairways of regional Australian golf courses are a far cry from what Lucas Herbert has become accustomed to.
However those venues, like Murray Downs Golf and Country Club host of this week’s Ford NSW Open, are exactly the places he cut his teeth as a professional golfer.
Excited to be back in regional Australia, having grown up in Bendigo, Herbert has fond memories of the NSW Opens he has played, even if it has been a few years since he last teed it up in one.
With an elevated prize-purse of $800,000 and double Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit points on offer, this year’s NSW Open has attracted increased player interest, yet it has always been an important event for Herbert.
As a budding 21-year-old, grinding away in his first few seasons on Tour, Herbert’s career made a significant leap after his runner-up finish at the 2017 NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Resort.
Despite Jason Scrivener running away with the Kel Nagle Cup that week by six-shots, Herbert describes his playing that week, and the two weeks that followed as an extremely pivotal moment.
“I remember that being a bit of a moment in my career where I sort of probably took a next step up,” Herbert said Wednesday.
“The following two weeks we played the Aussie Open and the Aussie PGA, and I played with Jason Day at the Aussie Open on the weekend and Sergio (Garcia) at the Aussie PGA.
“Within my team, we probably talk about the fact I probably grew up two years in those three weekends.”
Now 28, Herbert’s career has been on a steady upwards trajectory since that summer, and while the belief in his game was always there, getting the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the sports’ greatest enabled him to confirm that belief.
“I learned so much and probably learned that my game was on the right track in a way,” he said.
“I really benefited from seeing how J Day played and then how Sergio played, to be able to stack my game up against him and sort of go, ‘okay, look, I’m not there, but I’m on the right track’, and I could see how I can potentially get that good.”
That experience has stuck with the Victorian throughout his career and played a big part in his decision to extend his summer schedule, similar to 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith.
Herbert added this week along with the Webex Players Series Murray River in early 2025 to the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship he had pencilled in his calendar already.
Herbert and Smith got out earlier this week for a practice round with Tour winners from this season Jack Buchanan and Elvis Smylie, imparting some of the wisdom he has picked up over the years.
“Some of these kids probably haven’t played with players at the top level to really compare and see where their game matches up,” he said.
“We all show an interest in the next kids that are coming through because we want to do everything we can to help them out.
“It was very nice and hopefully we get to do it a little bit more over the next couple of weeks too.”
Self-described as “too competitive to not care”, Herbert is certainly at Murray Downs to compete this week, the memories of getting so close in 2017 potentially providing that extra motivation and hunger.
While that result may still sting, Herbert looks back fondly on 2017, even if his humble lodgings that week likely bears little resemblance to where he is staying this year.
“There was about five of us all staying in an apartment above a car garage where you take your car in to get service sort of thing,” he laughed fondly.
“All sorts of noises going on through the night. I reckon someone slept on a couch, but it was back when that was fun.
“Everyone will tell you those early years on Tour when you were doing that kind of stuff was some of your fondest memories though.
“I’ve got a lot of good memories from those three weeks, but yeah, in particular the 2017 New South Wales Open.”
As for his chances this week, Herbert says his game is not quite where he would like it, but he has been putting in the work over the off season.
“It’s been a little rusty,” he said. “It’s been a good bit of time off since my last event in Dallas, so yeah, just trying to get my body right again.
“The course is in great shape. I think it’s going to be a really good tournament venue this week.
“It looks like it’s going to be warm through the weekend, so it’ll firm everything up and should play like a true country golf course.”
Photo: Golf NSW
Reigning Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champion Kazuma Kobori and DP World Tour winner Daniel Hillier are locked in to head the New Zealand challenge at the upcoming Australian golf majors.
The two Kiwis will take on the best of Australian golf, including Jason Day, Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee, Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland (November 21-24) and ISPS HANDA Australian Open at Kingston Heath and The Victoria (November 28-December 1).
Both tournaments are co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.
Kobori will be making his first appearances as a full-time DP World Tour member, the reward he gained from a sensational Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season in 2023/24. Three tournament victories, all in Webex Players Series events, helped him to top the Order of Merit in his first year as a professional.
Since then, the 23-year-old has played in two major championships, The Open at Royal Troon and US PGA Championship at Valhalla, as well as events on the DP World Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and Asian Tour.
Kobori said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started as a full-time DP World Tour member at Royal Queensland and then heading to the Sandbelt for the Australian Open.
“Last summer in Australia was huge for me with the three wins and winning the Order of Merit to earn my DP World Tour card. There’s some great memories there.
“I can’t wait to see some of my mates I haven’t seen on Tour for a while and playing well in these two big Aussie events would give me a great start to the 2024/25 season.”
Hillier had a career highlight in 2023 when he won the British Masters and this year finished 94th on the Race to Dubai.
“Australia is close to home so the PGA and Open are always events I’m keen to play,” he said.
“The fact they’re at the start of the DP World Tour season means it’s a fresh beginning, even though they come at the end of the year.”
The 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo, as well as the NINE Network/9NOW.
For BMW Australian PGA Championship tickets, go to ticketek.com.au
The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Victorian Phoenix Campbell has become the first player in 26 years to win the Queensland PGA Championship in successive years in a pulsating final round at Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane.
Seeking to complete a wire-to-wire victory with a one-stroke lead starting Sunday, Campbell had to contend with Jak Carter seeking redemption for his heartbreak two years ago and Cameron Smith just three strokes back in the rearview mirror.
Smith sent a shudder through the front-runners with birdie putts from around 10 feet at both the first and second holes but a bogey on three and double-bogey on four quelled Smith’s momentum before it hit top gear.
Campbell (70) pushed out to 11-under with birdies at two and four yet Carter (69) countered with birdies of his own in what became a two-man shootout as they began the back nine.
A brilliant second into the par-5 fifth gave Campbell an eagle opportunity that he duly converted and then he drove the green at the par-4 seventh for a straightforward two-putt birdie.
As Smith found his ball in the back of a golf cart and then behind a tree, Carter continued to apply the pressure.
The South Australian hit a superb shot into the par-3 eighth for birdie and when he holed his birdie putt from eight feet on 10, had joined Campbell at 13-under-par.
Campbell dropped from the top of the leaderboard for the first time all week when he made bogey at the par-3 11th, Carter maintaining his one-stroke edge with par from five feet at the par-4 12th.
The lead swung back in Campbell’s favour when Carter made bogey on 14 and the defending champ two-putted for birdie on 15 but more drama was to follow.
Campbell’s bogey and Carter’s par at the par-4 16th sent the two players to the 71st hole tied for the lead at 12-under where they both made bogey at the par-5 that was playing directly into the north-east wind.
Neither player could find the birdie that would have secured victory at the par-3 18th, sending the tournament into extra holes for the second time in three years.
Playing first, Campbell hit the right edge of the hole with his tee shot at the first playoff hole, Carter responding with a magnificent shot of his own as the pair squared the hole with birdies.
After a two-hole playoff, Phoenix Campbell is the 2024 #QldPGA champion! 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/BggJj0QFfs
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 3, 2024
They both missed the green at the second playoff hole, Carter once again suffering some cruel misfortune when he was forced to play his bunker shot with one leg in and one leg out of the sand.
Playing from just beyond the putting surface, Campbell chipped down to three feet and calmly holed out for par after Carter tapped in for bogey.
In so doing, Campbell becomes the first player to go back-to-back at the Queensland PGA since Lucas Parsons in 1997-1998 and the first player to defend a title won as an amateur having turned professional since Aaron Baddeley’s Australian Open double in 1999-2000.
“Defending is definitely tougher,” said Campbell, who was tied second a week ago at the Webex Players Series South Australia and now moves to third on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
“Last year I came from the clouds. I was in the clubhouse with four or five groups to come in still so it was a very different experience.
“There wasn’t much pressure on me. No one really expected much from you. This week, coming in, there’s a lot more expectations and obviously leading every day of the tournament.
“It’s a different event, so I can’t really compare myself to last year, but it just shows how far I’ve come in the last 12 months and that I’m on the right track.”
Playing the first of four events in Australia this summer, Smith (70) also believes he is set up for success in the weeks to come following his first Queensland PGA appearance since 2015.
“I feel like I played some really good golf this week,” said Smith, who finished three shots back in a tie for third with fellow Queenslander Blake Proverbs (68).
“Just missed so many putts from inside 15 feet and felt like I hit plenty of good putts.
“I don’t feel like I need to go out there and reinvent the wheel or anything the next week or so.
“It’s nice to play four rounds of competition and kind of feel the juices flow again. I’ll take a bit from that.
“I feel like my game’s in a really good spot. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.”
PGA TOUR member Victor Perez heads a group of DP World Tour winners and rising stars who have been added to the fields for the Summer of Golf’s two majors, the BMW Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane and ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne.
The six Europeans will take on the best of Australian golf, including Jason Day, Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee, Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman across the two tournaments which are co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.
The BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club from November 21-24 will kick off the 2024/25 DP World Tour schedule and will be followed by a visit to the famous Melbourne Sandbelt for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open (November 28-December 1).
The first contingent of DP World Tour names who have booked their flights to Australia includes Perez, England’s Jordan Smith, German Yannick Paul, Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Danish young gun Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and former Ryder Cup player Nico Colsaerts (Belguim).
They will play in both the Open and PGA while 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner Wenyi Ding, from China, will make his DP World Tour debut as a professional at Royal Queensland.
Perez said: “Australia is one of the best golf destinations in the world. You often hear players on both the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour talking about the tournaments and courses down there and how good the golf is.
“I played the BMW Australian PGA Championship in 2017 but not at Royal Queensland and I am yet to play an ISPS HANDA Australian Open so I can’t wait to get to Australia, enjoy the world class golf courses and see what both Brisbane and Melbourne are like away from the course.
“These two events have great histories, great lists of champions and I’d love to get my name on one of those trophies. But it’s going to be tough against the Aussies.”
Smith, who finished fourth in the Andalucia Masters at the weekend, is currently ranked No.13 on the Race to Dubai standings and is a former champion at the Portugal Masters and Porsche European Open.
“With the two Australian tournaments being the start of the 2024/25 DP World Tour, I’d love to get off to a hot start by challenging at both the PGA and Open and maybe getting a win in either of them,” Smith said.
“I know the Aussie fans love their sport. I’m expecting big crowds, lots of sun and three courses that are going to provide a proper test of our games.
“Kingston Heath, Victoria and the Melbourne Sandbelt in general are world renowned so I can’t wait to tackle both courses while Royal Queensland is definitely growing in reputation and profile amongst the DPWT players who have played it in recent years.
“Throw in the great atmosphere the BMW Australian PGA Championship has become known for and no doubt we are in for two great weeks in Australia”
Yannik Paul’s resume includes the 2022 Mallorca Golf Open with his 2024 campaign highlighted by a runner-up finish at the French Open earlier this month.
A frequent visitor to Australia and 2016 Ryder Cup representative, Rafa Cabrera-Bello climbed to as high as No.16 on the Official World Golf Ranking and has four DP World Tour victories on his record, the latest being the 2021 Open de Espana.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen has climbed inside the world top 100 this year on the back of three wins and a runner-up placing on the Challenge Tour and a recent T4 finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the DP World Tour.
Wenyi Ding, a professional for just a few weeks, is regarded as one of the best young prospects in world golf and will be making his first visit to Australia since finishing runner-up to Australia’s Jasper Stubbs at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur at Royal Melbourne. He went on to capture the 2024 AAC title in Japan in October.
A regular visitor to Australia, Colsaerts has won three DP World Tour events and returned to prominence this year with a runner-up placing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
PGA of Australia General Manager of Tournaments & Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey said: “The ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship gain huge benefits from the strong contingent of international players who come to Australia annually thanks to our partnership with the DP World Tour.
“They add to the depth of our fields, providing the best of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia with the chance to challenge themselves against proven tournament winners.
“And their presence helps us to gain extra exposure to international audiences for our tournaments, our Tour and our partners.”
The remaining DP World Tour players to be included in the fields for both the PGA and Open will be finalised in coming weeks.
The 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo, as well as the NINE Network/9NOW.
For BMW Australian PGA Championship tickets, go to ticketek.com.au
The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Defending champion Phoenix Campbell is ready to become the “main attraction” as Cameron Smith clawed his way back into contention late on day three of the Queensland PGA Championship at Nudgee Golf Club.
Campbell (73) birdied his final hole of Round 3 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round as WA Open runner-up Jak Carter (66) and 2023 Gippsland Super 6 winner Kerry Mountcastle (64) played their way into the final group with the two best rounds of the day.
Smith’s third round began with nine straight pars before a plugged second shot into the bunker at the par-4 10th led to his first bogey of the day.
A second followed when he failed to get up-and-down at the par-4 14th but birdies at 15, 17 and 18 has left the 2022 Open champion just three strokes back going into the final round.
After two days playing in front of Smith, Campbell was in the group behind on Saturday and hopes to draw a few more spectators back from Cam’s caravan of followers on Sunday.
“It’s actually really weird,” said Campbell.
“I didn’t feel like the main attraction today. I definitely wasn’t, despite leading the tournament.
“It’s a different vibe. It’s really cool to see so many people out and hopefully tomorrow there’ll be more people out again.
“I’m really looking forward to using the energy of the crowd.
“I play my best golf on Sunday so I’m really excited to get going.
“I feel like I can lift and play my best golf tomorrow.”
Conceding that his energy levels fluctuated as he made four bogeys in five holes around the turn, the 23-year-old responded with birdie at the par-3 11th – the second-hardest hole all week – and two more at 15 and 18 to edge one clear of Carter.
Carter was the 54-hole leader at Nudgee two years ago and is chasing redemption having made double-bogey on the 72nd hole to miss the playoff ultimately won by Aaron Wilkin.
“A hundred percent. A hundred percent,” Carter said after playing the back nine in 6-under 30.
“But I’m just heading out there tomorrow and playing golf because that’s all we can do.
“Just keep playing smart, wait to hole some putts and then just start going on a tear. Which was exactly what happened today.”
Late Saturday charge 🤝 Final group Sunday #QldPGA | #TheChaseIsOn pic.twitter.com/H4Gr6TRVJp
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 2, 2024
Even par through nine holes, Carter hit a wedge to three feet for birdie on 10, did the same on 12 to move to 2-under and then holed an 8-iron from 153 metres for eagle at the par-4 13th.
“The moment I hit it I was like, That’s exactly as I wanted to hit it,” Carter added.
“We were walking down there and bang, it was in the hole.”
Mountcastle delivered the round of the tournament less than 24 hours after hatching plans to head home.
T31 ➡️ 2nd
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 2, 2024
It's not called MOVING DAY for nothing 👏#QldPGA | #TheChaseIsOn pic.twitter.com/PSo3P7QItd
During Friday’s weather delay and with two holes left to play, Mountcastle looked for an early flight back to New Zealand. When play resumed, he holed an eight-footer for par on 17 and made birdie on 18 to ensure he had some money to play for over the weekend.
“My mindset yesterday afternoon wasn’t great actually when we had our delay, I was looking at flights to go home,” Mountcastle admitted.
“Consistent golf out there is not easy. There’s a lot of ebbs and flows. Today had nine birdies and a bogey, whereas yesterday I had six bogeys and four birdies.”
Revenge 😈#QldPGA | #TheChaseIsOn pic.twitter.com/vr2v91yIdb
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 2, 2024
Midway through the front nine, Smith found himself seven shots behind Campbell and struggling to stay inside the top 10.
“I did what I had to do today,” said Smith, who will tee off in the second-to-last group at 11:22am AEST on Sunday with Lucas Higgins (71) and 2022 Cameron Smith Scholarship holder, Billy Dowling (75).
“Tough to get going I guess is the right term.
“I feel like I did a lot of things right today, especially on that front nine. Just couldn’t get anything going and couldn’t get any putts to drop.
“It was just very frustrating but stuck in there.
“I was hitting the ball great and then holed a couple of putts at the end.”
The final round of the Queensland PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo from 11:30am-4:30pm AEST.
Entry for spectators is free with the first group to tee off at 8:16am and the final group to go off at 11:33am.
A rookie with two pro starts to his name and two amateurs lead the way as Cameron Smith struggled on day two of the Queensland PGA Championship at Nudgee Golf Club.
Defending champion Phoenix Campbell added a 4-under 68 to his 6-under round on Thursday to take the 36-hole lead outright at 10-under, one-stroke clear of 19-year-old Gold Coast amateur Billy Dowling (69).
New South Wales amateur Declan O’Donovan (67) matched the equal best score of the day to climb into third position at 7-under, Smith two strokes further back at 5-under after a day in which he had to play from penalty areas on three separate occasions.
Smith’s shoes had to come off for his second shot at the par-3 11th but a late birdie at the par-5 17th dragged him back to level par for his round.
He will have to chase down Campbell and Dowling over the weekend, particularly excited at the prospect of potentially being paired with Dowling, a Cameron Smith Scholarship winner two years ago, in the final round.
While conscious of the threat posed by Smith, 23-year-old Campbell insists he won’t be looking backwards as he seeks to become the first back-to-back winner since Lucas Parsons in 1997-1998.
“I can’t really worry about what everyone else is doing,” said Campbell, who became the first amateur to win the Queensland PGA in its 92-year history 12 months ago.
“I’ve got to just stick to my game. That’s all I can control.
“I didn’t play quite as well as I did yesterday. I missed a couple of greens and made some really good up-and-downs, which kind of kept me in it.
“It wasn’t my best stuff, but I hung in there all day.”
Proud big brother vibes 🥹
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 1, 2024
Cam Smith on his 2022 scholarship recipient, Billy Dowling, who leads the #QldPGA. pic.twitter.com/Icjr5aZmpK
Tied for 15th a year ago, Dowling has also shown no signs of being overawed by the occasion.
Birdies at 14 and 18 were the highlights of Dowling’s 3-under round as he applies a sound strategy that belies his youthfulness.
“For me, you don’t need to try and force birdies,” said Dowling, who shot 59 at his home course of Surfers Paradise Golf Club in March last year.
“If you can just minimise the bogeys, then birdies will come.
“That’s just how I go about it. Other people might be different and then you see what happens at the end of the day.”
Despite more favourable conditions than the afternoon wave experienced in Round 1, Smith struggled to generate momentum early in his round on Friday.
He hit his tee shot at the par-5 fifth into the water on his way to bogey but got it back with a superb tee shot that danced around the hole at the par-3 eighth.
Smith’s drive at the par-4 ninth came to rest in bark left of the fairway as he made a second bogey but was back to square soon after with birdie on 10.
A bogey on 11 was countered with a birdie at 12, his birdie putt on 13 lipped out on the left edge and his par putt on 14 caught the right edge and also failed to fall.
A fourth birdie of the day on 17 was enough to get back to 5-under and in the second-last group on Saturday.
“It probably wasn’t as bad as what it looked,” said Smith. “It actually felt pretty good.
“It just seems like there’s a lot of birdie chances out there if you take driver. It’s what I did yesterday and kind of worked out and today not so much.
“The putter was a little bit cold. Hit a lot of lips but still feel like I played some pretty solid golf.
“Just wasn’t my day kind of thing.”
O’Donovan emerged as the real surprise packet in Round 2, the Avondale Golf Club member playing his final 12 holes in 6-under to play his way into the final group.
Winner of the NSW Amateur earlier this year, O’Donovan said he drew on Smith’s slow start on Thursday to stage a fightback of his own.
“Yesterday Cam was 1-over through six and finished 5-under,” said O’Donovan.
“I was 1-over through six and thinking, If Cam can do it, hopefully I can do it, too.
“I definitely got it going. Played some of my best golf today.”
Play was suspended for just over 80 minutes late on Friday due to an electrical storm, hail the size of golf balls lashing the course. The round resumed at 5:15pm AEST and was completed just after 6pm.
Round 3 will begin at 8:22am AEST on Saturday with the final group of Campbell, Dowling and O’Donovan to tee off at 11:45am.
The final two rounds will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo on both Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am-4:30pm AEST.
All the action from Cam Smith’s second round at Nudgee.
And we’re away
Cam Smith’s second round is underway at the 2024 Queensland PGA Championship.
After a 5-under 67 in round one, Smith is still one shot back of leaders Phoenix Campbell, amateur Billy Dowling and Declan O’Donovan.
Solid start in front of huge crowds at Nudgee
Starting on Nudgee’s front nine today, Smith has begun his day with three solid pars and remains at 5-under for the championship.
Here we go on the fourth
Smith has piped his drive over the water on the fourth which sets him up to reach the par-5 in two.
With long way left in, Smith launched driver off the deck for his second, finding the reeds left of the green.
A masterful chip on gives him a 10-foot look at his first birdie of the day.
The birdie attempt just slides by and Smith taps in for par. No harm done through four holes.
Drama on the fifth
Smith’s tee shot has found the pond to the right of the fifth fairway and he has had to go back almost 40m to take a drop.
Coach and caddie for the week, Grant Field works hard to get a number for Smith who is now left with a 3-wood in from tight rough.
Smith’s 3-wood has gone long left of the green and he now lies three.
Chipping up from the back of the green, Smith left himself 12-feet for par which he missed, tapping in for bogey.
1-over on his day, Smith drops back to 4-under for the championship, now 3-shots back of the leaders.
More trouble on the sixth
Smith’s tee shot on the par-4 sixth found the left rough, and then his second lies left of the green in the light rough, requiring another up and down for par.
A clutch chip leaves Smith with a tap-in par, limiting the damage.
Crowds are out in force watching the Queenslander
Photo: Dylan Evans
Back in business on the seventh
After a monster drive on the par-4 seventh, Cam finds himself pin high off the green with just a pitch over the bunker left in.
Just clearing the bunker, Smith has left himself with 15-feet for birdie.
Another one just slides by on the left, Smith taps in for a stress-free par.
Almost an ace on the eighth
Smith’s tee shot on par 3 8th dances around the hole before coming to rest six feet away, one of his best looks at birdie so far today.
It’s in! Smith gives the crowd something to cheer about as he rolls in his birdie putt on eight to get back to even on his round.
Scrambling again on the ninth
After his drive found the bark chips left of the ninth fairway, Smith’s second has come up 15m short of the green, requiring another clutch up and down to save par.
After a decent approach, Smith has 6 feet left for his par.
Another par putt slides just by on the left edge as Smith makes the turn 1-over on his day, and 4-under for the championship as a storm is brewing behind him over Brisbane.
How about these shots from Dylan Evans.
Highs and lows to start the the back nine
After a birdie to get things going on the tenth, Smith was forced to take his shoes and socks off to play his second from the water on the 11th.
After a decent recovery, Smith missed the 12-footer for par, tapping in for bogey and giving his gained shot straight back.
Bounce back on the 12th
After a perfect tee shot on the short par-4 12th, Smith was able to nestle his pitch to just outside a foot and converted the birdie putt.
He gets back to even on his day and 5-under for the championship, four shots back of leader Phoenix Campbell.
Riding the wave on the 13th
Smith bombs another drive to the front of the green on 13, leaving a perfect line in to back left pin.
Smith’s itch comes up 5 feet short of the hole, a good look at birdie to go under-par on his day.
BRUTAL! Smith’s birdie putt lips out hard the left edge, he taps it in for par.
Safely in the fairway on the 14th
Driving down the right side, Smith finds the fairway on the par-4 14th, setting up a strong chance to knock one close and set up another birdie.
After his approach trickled off a knob of the green on the right side, Smith faces a very tricky up and down to save par.
A flop shot left Smith 8-feet for par, his putt lipping out on the right side this time.
Tapping in for bogey, Smith’s round is back to 1-over, 4-under for the week.
Stroke of luck on the 15th
It looked as if Smith’s drive had found the water on the 15th, but it just hangs on, he was forced to pitch back to the fairway though.
Smith has managed to get his third up on the front edge of the green on the par-5, and has 18-feet for an outside birdie chance.
Just missing on the left side, Smith taps in for par, likely a relieving result after thinking his drive was in the water off the tee.
Go time on the 16th
Smith’s tee shot is in the perfect position down the left side of 16, opening up a great angle into the back right pin position.
Smith safely made par.
Finishing strong
Smith made a final birdie on the par-5 17th to get his round back to even, and finished with a par on the tough par-3 18th.
Starting and finishing his day at 5-under, Smith limited a lot of the damage today, however the overnight leaders both continued scoring, and Smith now finds himself five shots off the pace heading into the weekend.
