Cameron Smith has taken aim at “disappointing” course conditions for this week’s Australian Open, strongly rejecting the idea that heavy rain is the primary reason behind soft and slow layouts.
Kingston Heath Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne are well-known as two of the country’s best courses and usually play extremely firm and fast, but – according to the Ripper GC captain – they have been set up completely differently this time around.
The 31-year-old has played several practice rounds on the Melbourne Sandbelt since turning out another close call at the Australian PGA Championship last week, even competing alongside former Prime Minister Scot Morrison at the pro-am on Wednesday.
But, in his pre-tournament press conference, Smith admitted his surprise and disappointment at the unusual characteristics on display at the two courses which will be used this week.
He said: “It seems there’s been been lot of water and it’s not exactly what I was expecting. The course(s) are in great condition but playing so much different to how they’re designed and how they’re meant to be played, which is pretty disappointing.
Kingston Heath is normally a firm and fast layout
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“I had been keeping an eye on the weather here and I was really excited last week – to play a really firm and fast Sandbelt.
“It’s something that my (Ripper GC) teammates and I spoke about this year. We love coming down here and playing these events because the golf courses (are firm and fast) and it’s just not going to play like that. It’s going to play more like an American golf course, kind of target golf.”
The Brisbane-born player then shared some of his experiences of competing in south-east Australia at this time of the year, highlighting just how different it can be to a typical American layout.
Smith said: “I’ve played down here at Kingston Heath in (the 2013) Aussie Masters, and I’ve told this story a lot actually, where I was allowing 25-30 metres of run out with a pitching wedge, which is a lot.
“Usually, around the world, you’re trying to take spin off, make sure it doesn’t spin back too much. I think when you get a place like this, where it’s meant to play like that, you have to create spin and create shots to get close to pins, which…
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