Cameron Smith is hopeful his enhanced pulling power can secure a LIV Golf event for his native Queensland.
The world No.3 and Open winner will aim for a third Australian PGA Championship this weekend at the event’s new Brisbane home at Royal Queensland.
Smith returns for the first time in three years as a force in the sport thanks to a season that included a controversial defection to the Saudi-backed rebel tour that remains at loggerheads with the PGA.
The 29-year-old’s reputation has not been hit though, with Brisbane-born Smith on Tuesday becoming the 52nd person, and first golfer, to receive the keys to the city.
« Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d get the keys to the city, » Smith said.
« I thought it was for important people. »
LIV Golf will enter the Australian market in Adelaide next year, the South Australian government’s support a key factor after initial interest in numerous southeast Queensland venues.
Brisbane hosting the PGA Championship, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and acting as a pathway to the PGA Tour, is another barrier to the state hosting a LIV Golf event.
But in Smith the LIV Tour has the ultimate Brisbane pin-up boy, while chief executive Greg Norman is another iconic Queenslander at the table.
« If I had my way I’d love an event here in Queensland, » Smith said.
« If it’s anywhere in Australia at the moment it’s going to be well received … the welcoming of LIV Golf in Australia has been really positive.
« I can’t wait for Adelaide, but hopefully in the future we can get one in Queensland somewhere. »
Good mate and fellow LIV Tour convert Marc Leishman, who will also tee off at Royal Queensland this week, agreed.
« It definitely does have the vibe and I’m hoping it’s going to move around Australia eventually, » Leishman told the Nine Network.
« It’s going to be amazing in Adelaide, they’re a little bit starved of golf at the moment.
« I see tickets are selling very quickly; I’m excited because it’s pretty close to Warrnambool where I grew up. »
