THE 151ST OPEN

July 20, 2023

Cameron Smith

Mixed Zone

Q. Cam, was it tricky out there today?

CAM SMITH: It was a little bit tricky. There's still a score out there, though, obviously. There was lots of good today for myself, but probably just as much or even more bad. Nothing really to work on, to be honest. It still feels really good.

It's just there's a couple of awkward shots out there for me with that wind off the left, trying to play a cut off the tee. There's a couple holes where it feels like you can't hit the fairway, and it's just awkward. It's something I'm going to have to put up with, I think.

Q. You overcame an over-par round to win last year. Does that give you belief that you can get yourself back in it?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, absolutely. I don't think it's going to be quite as much of a birdie fest as last year, which is probably a good thing for me and the other guys that are just absolutely over par. Just a couple of good rounds should be right back in it. I don't feel like I'm out of the tournament.

Q. What's the key to tidying it up tomorrow?

CAM SMITH: Geez, I don't even know. Probably just a little bit more commitment to some shots. Yeah, that's really about it. The swing feels good. Saved a couple of pars there with some good putts, and everything is feeling really nice. It just wasn't the day today.

Q. It sounds like you don't understand how you shot 1-over, like the way you hit the ball and everything. Is that true?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, I hit a couple of good drives the last few holes there on 16 and 18. They both went into some fairway bunkers, and they were probably some of my best swings of the day.

I think that sums up links golf, though, to be honest. Some of your best shots and best strikes end up in the worst positions.

Yeah, just take it for what it is and go out there tomorrow and try and shoot a low one.

Q. How did you find the experience of being the defending champion? Was it a nice experience?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, it was good. The crowd was awesome today. There was a lot of Aussies in the crowd, which is always nice for us boys. Nice Scottie was in front of me, as well, so probably a few guys following. Yeah, it was good.

Q. Did you feel a little bit frustrated in the sense that you feel there was a lower score out there today in a way?

CAM SMITH: There was definitely a lower score out there. Yeah, like I said, I don't feel as though I did anything really bad. It was just kind of one of those days. I feel as though I kept some momentum going, and then all of a sudden it was taken out of my hands, and just kind of one of those up-and-down days.

Yeah, it is what it is.