Cameron Smith opens up in emotional interview after missing the cut in Australia

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Cam Smith’s return home for the BMW Australian PGA Championship ended in disappointment as the 32-year-old failed to make the cut on Friday.

After opening with a solid two-under 69, Smith unravelled during his second round at Royal Queensland, posting a four-over-par 75 in what he later described as one of his most bewildering performances of the year.

The poor result only extends a worrying run of form for the 2022 Open champion, who had openly admitted before the week that his game was nowhere near where he wanted it to be. Meanwhile, his playing partners Marco Penge and Min Woo Lee surged ahead, finishing the day at seven and eight under respectively.

Cam Smith says he feels ‘so confused’ by drop in form

Speaking to reporters after missing the cut, Smith didn’t hide his frustration or confusion. The Australian told Golf Digest Australia that his warm-up gave him no indication of what was to come, making the sudden collapse even harder to process. With his form having dipped for six to seven months, he said the downturn has been extremely difficult to accept.

Smith also became a father earlier this year, and the emotional and logistical challenges of such a major life change may still be settling in. He now faces an off-season of reflection and rebuilding as he looks to rediscover the level that once made him one of the most consistent performers in the world.

Gary Player questions whether LIV move impacted Smith’s game

Smith’s decline has reignited debate over his 2022 decision to join LIV Golf shortly after winning The Open. Gary Player has previously expressed strong surprise at the move, arguing that LIV’s format and separation from traditional tours have made the sport feel divided. Player remarked that 54-hole events and team formats don’t align with the essence of competitive golf and said he believes players who leave for LIV shouldn’t return to regular tours.

Whether Smith regrets that decision remains unclear. But if his struggles continue into next season, the questions surrounding his form — and the choices made in recent years — may prompt some difficult conversations within his camp.