As LIV Golf gears up for its Saudi Arabia stop and the return to pro golf of Anthony Kim, a cool story has emerged out of the New Zealand Open in Queenstown. Veteran Scott Hend was leading towards the end of day two’s play at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.
The picturesque alpine holiday destination got a taste of Cam Smith’s reputation as a down-to-earth bloke recently. A prominent New Zealand golf figure revealed that earlier this year, Smith was honeymooning in Queenstown and wanted a game of golf at the stunning Jack’s Point course. Smith called the pro shop and asked for a tee-time, and when asked for his name simply said, “Cameron Smith.”
Pro shop staff were surprised and delighted when the mullet-wearing 150th Open champion walked in and paid for the green fee, a rental set of clubs, sleeve of Titleist balls and a FootJoy glove. The six-time PGA Tour winner and three-time LIV Golf winner then dashed around in a cart, admiring the views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu from the links-style layout.
Smith was said to have been incredibly welcoming to the greens staff and other employees who requested a selfie with the former world No.2. Safe to say Smith won’t need to pay the next time he’s at Jack’s Point.
Meanwhile, Smith and his Ripper GC team are readying for LIV Golf’s third event of its 2024 season, LIV Golf Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf Club.
Smith finished T8 in LIV’s season opener at Mayakoba in Mexico before a T15 at LIV Golf Vegas the following week.
With a fourth and a 10th place finish in the first two events, Ripper GC’s Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones are looking for their first podium of 2024 after grabbing a maiden teams win at LIV Bedminster last year.
All eyes will be on Smith’s group as he tees off in a marquee group with Kim, the former PGA Tour star who returns from a 12-year injury hiatus, and Graeme McDowell. The shotgun start will begin at 7:15pm (AEDT) and can be viewed on the LIV Golf app or 7’s streaming service, 7Plus.
