Cameron Smith in massive announcement for Aussie golf fans

Cameron Smith has announced he will be returning home to defend his Australian PGA Championship and attempt to win the local double in a huge win for Aussie golf. Smith made waves last year when he returned to Royal Queensland as he stormed to his third PGA victory.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to achieve the rare double as he was eliminated from the contentious cut at the Melbourne sand-belt tournament. However, this year he will look to defend his title, before heading down to Sydney for for the Australian Open.

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Smith was undoubtedly the biggest attraction at this year's LIV Golf event in Adelaide with excited fans lining the fairways to see the popular Aussie in action. The Aussie has currently won two LIV Golf events this year.

Back in 2016 Smith lost a play-off to American Jordan Spieth at Royal Sydney and a year later finished fourth behind Cam Davis at The Australian. In a repeat from last year, the Open will be held as a dual-gender event at two courses, from November 30 to December 3.

"It's probably number one for things I want to win," Smith said from his US base. "I've been close and I feel like it's been right there for me a bunch of times and I haven't really taken advantage of it.

"It's at a couple of really good golf courses this year - The Australian in particularly I feel really comfortable around that place. I've also played well around the Lakes but the Australian for me is somewhere where I think I can go out there and make a ton of birdies and hopefully win convincingly."

Smith could be joined by his fellow Aussie stars with rising sensation Min Woo Lee committing, while Adam Scott could be set to join. In more exciting news, Jason Day recently said he was interested in making a return for the first time since 2017 Open.

Cameron Smith slides down the rankings

While Smith has been playing some world class golf in the last few months, which has also seen him finish in the top 10 of two majors, Smith is sliding down the world rankings. Smith finished tied 33rd when defending his The Open trophy, but managed fourth place at the US Open and tied ninth at the PGA Championship.

After his latest LIV Golf win, Ripper GC teammate Matt Jones claimed Smith was in equally good form as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler. “Everyone talks about Scottie Scheffler having a finish of top 12 every week. Cam does it every week out here, and he wins these two events,” Jones said.

“If there’s talk about Scottie, there’s got to be talk about Cam in the same breath. That’s all I have to say.”

Bryson DeChambeau was in the top 10 rankings only 12 months ago, but currently sits at World No.113. Brooks Koepka is the only other LIV Golf member in the top 50, sitting at World No.13.

with AAP

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