Just four years ago, Cameron Smith was the toast of the golf world—ranked second globally and seemingly on an unstoppable ascent. The 32-year-old Australian held both The Players Championship and The Open, two of the five most prestigious titles in golf. However, his performances have plummeted since the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst. Smith has missed the cut in six consecutive majors, most recently recording rounds of 74 and 77 at the Masters, leaving him completely disillusioned and searching for a path back to form.
Drastic Change Ahead of PGA Championship
With the PGA Championship at Aronimink nearly underway, Smith has made a significant change in an attempt to secure a weekend appearance. He has decided to part ways with long-time coach and friend Grant Field, turning instead to renowned instructor Claude Harmon III. Harmon, son of the legendary Butch Harmon, also works with fellow LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson.
Addressing Swing Issues
Smith explained the reasoning behind the switch: "It's just a bit of a different outlook. It's not rocket science. I got to a point where I was thinking so many things in my golf swing that I couldn't hit the golf shot, which is never a fun place to be. He just really simplified it and made me think of one thing rather than a thousand." The Queenslander added that his game is "starting to feel good and starting to feel like I can actually commit to some shots and hit different shots."
Denying LIV Golf Impact
Despite critics suggesting his move to LIV Golf has affected his major performances, Smith was quick to deny these claims. "It's frustrating because I don't think if I was playing anywhere else, the results would have really changed," he said during a LIV Golf season preview event in Florida. "I think people see average play aligned with changing a tour or not working hard enough. It really couldn't be more the opposite."
A Difficult Decision
Smith acknowledged the emotional difficulty of ending his partnership with Grant Field. "It was a terrible, terrible conversation to have. I've been seeing Grant since I was about nine years old, and he's a really good friend as well, so it was tough, but I feel like I've done the right thing for my golf." Smith will get the chance to prove his decision was correct as he tackles the challenging PGA Championship at Aronimink this weekend.
