Cameron Smith – of golfing fame, has just won the 150th Open Championship. The boy from Brisbane put on a show at St Andrews which included five birdies in a row on the back nine to see him win his first major victory.
Many punters know him more for the sensational mullet that he debuted during the Tokyo Olympics rather than his world class, short game and that’s ok.
We’ve got some interesting facts for you about Smithy that you can use a bit of pub ammo while you’re claiming to have watched all four days of the Open over the weekend.
1. He always wears Maroon on the Sunday of a tournament
Cameron Smith loves Cameron Smith (And probably the other way round as well).
Being born in Queensland, the heartland of Rugby League it can often be hard to avoid the states’ football code of choice, especially when you share your name with one of the greatest Rugby League players to ever do it.
Cameron absolutely loves the Maroons like most Queenslanders and shows off his support and patriotism by wearing the colours of QLD on the Sunday of every tournament he plays.
He even credited the rugby league side and the way they overcome adversity in his victory press conference when he won The Players Championship in March 2022
2. He grew up playing Rugby League
Like many young kids in Brisbane, Cam played junior rugby league while growing up.
The Albany Creek Crushers were his junior club and Cam played up until he was 12 years old.
Smith said he chose golf over footy when he turned 13 because the other kids kept growing and he didn’t.
3. He has eight victories in total
At the time of writing this, on Cameron’s mantle is the 2017 Zurich Classic doubles trophy, back-to-back Australian PGA Championships in 2017 and 2018, 2020 Sony Open title, 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions trophy, the 2022 Players Championship and now the 150th Open Championship.
4. He finished runner up at the 2020 Masters
It’s safe to say that Smith knows Augusta pretty darn well. In 2020 he shot the lights out at the famous tournament and became the first ever golfer to hit 60s in all four rounds of the tournament.
He shot 67,68,69,69 in each of the rounds and fell just short of clinching that famous jacket.
5. His father Des was a handy golfer
Did Cam find the sport or did it find him?
Cam’s old man is a mad golfer himself and has been club champion at his local course back in Brisbane’s north.
Golf is a bit of a family affair in the Smith house with Des even caddying for Cameron on the professional circuit.
6. He loves his cars
A self professed “petrol head” Cam has said in many interviews he loves tinkering with classic cars when he’s not on the course or in the gym.
What can be a pretty expensive hobby for some, when you’ve won as much prize money as Cam you can probably get into cars pretty easily.
7. He’s won over $20 Million in prize money
Being pretty grouse at golf comes with a lot of luxuries, one of those being massive amounts of prize money if you win.
Cam’s win at The Players Championship saw him take home the biggest payday on the Tour. Just a cool $5 Million USD.
As of March 2022, Cameron has won $22 Million in prize money while on the PGA Tour.
8. He’s currently ranked 6th in the world
His win at The Players Championship sky rocketed Cameron into the top 10 rankings.
He currently sits at the number 6 spot just behind Xander Schauffele and spots in front of Dustin Johnson who beat him in the 2020 Masters.
9. This shot from The Players Championship went viral
And it deserved to!
Setting up his tee shot on a notoriously difficult 17th hole. You’d probably expect to play it reasonably safe.
Not our Cam, he went for the dagger and hit an inch perfect 9 iron to score himself a birdie and inch a little bit closer to winning.
Footage of the shot and how close that ball landed to the cup (and the water) was shared all across the world.
10. He’s the 5th Aussie to Win The Open
His win this morning sees Smith join such elite Aussie company as Peter Thompson, Kel Nagle, Greg “The Shark” Norman and Ian Baker-Finch.
“To look at these names on this trophy, and then add mine is unreal. I’m lost for words,” Cam Smith said upon winning the Claret Jug.
“I’m definitely going to find out how many beers fit in this thing, that’s for sure.”
On ya Smithy!