Beer o’clock beckons too early for Cam Smith

It’s been a long wait to return home and judging by Smith’s predilection for the amber fluid over the past few weeks, it’s clear the Queenslander has missed his mates.

And who could blame him. But this time it might have cost him a long shot at a second title in as many weeks.

Cameron Smith (Credit: PGA Tour)

Normally the field is cut after two rounds but this year’s Australian Open featured two levels of cuts. The top-60 and ties made the cut after the first two rounds and then another cut was made after the third round for the top-30 and ties.

At 2-over and sitting in a share of 82nd place following rounds of 71 and 73, Smith was sure he had missed the weekend on Friday and headed for the pub.

“That was pretty rubbish out there today,” admitted a clearly fatigued Smith.

“I was just really uncomfortable all day, kind of similar to yesterday. I just couldn’t quite hit the ball out the middle of the club face for some reason.”

“My mind was a little bit foggy…but I need to play better than that, even when I am tired.”

Hours after he had left Kingston Heath, the 29-year-old received some surprise news.

“I was pretty quick to the pub and, yeah, was probably a few too many beers deep and then I realised we had an early tee time, so I got back on the waters and was a good boy the rest of the night.”

Smith shot a 1-under 69 around Victoria Golf Club, his best of the week but it wasn’t enough in the end. He missed the second cut by two shots alongside fellow PGA Tour player Cameron Davis.

The World No.3 will now take a well-earned break before teeing it up on the LIV Golf Tour next February.