Cameron Smith’s father Des is a quietly spoken, easy-going type of character, but the pride bubbles up when he speaks about his son’s latest and greatest achievement, winning The Open at St Andrews.
The Smiths today are the toast of the Wantima Country Club, on the outskirts Brisbane, with Des waiting for his phone to inevitably run out of battery so he could get down to celebrating with other members.
The mulleted major winner was a junior at Wantima and remains a proud clubman, helping mentor the upcoming youngsters there whenever he has the opportunity.
Mr Smith told ABC Radio Brisbane he had faith in his son even though he went into the final round four shots off the pace after a rough third day.
“I was confident he could do it,” Mr Smith said.
“Just because I know he never gives in. He’s a really good fighter. He’ll scratch and claw for everything.
“And he doesn’t like losing.”
Scratch and claw he did, all the while showing incredible composure to fire an 8-under-par final round and storm home for victory ahead of American Cameron Young and overnight leader Rory McIlroy.
Even Mr Smith is not quite sure how his son shows such calm under the most intense pressure.
“It was an incredible performance to come from so far back and he just played awesome.
But it’s not without precedent.
“You know he made 10 birdies in the last round of the Players Championship. So we all know he can do it. And he just pulled it off on the biggest day,” Mr Smith said.
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Smith’s father was initially supposed to travel to the UK for The Open but admits he “chickened out” — and he reckons he’ll never hear the end of it from Cam.
“I’m kicking myself,” he said.
“I spoke to him as soon as he came out of scoring, for a couple of minutes, it was good.
“I was getting a little bit emotional. So I said: ‘I gotta go.’
“And he said: ‘I bet you wish you had’ve come now.'”
Smith told the media at St Andrews his only regret was not having his father present.
“I really wish he was here, too. It would have been such a cool week, even without this [trophy], to be at the home of golf.
“Dad loves his golf as well. It would have been awesome.”
Dad claims club celebrations won’t get too ‘radical’, others not so sure
Mr Smith and other Wantima members are understandably proud of Cameron, who remains a humble character despite his success.
“What you see is what you get with him. He’s very down-to-earth,” Des said.
“He loves coming back here playing with the members, shouting some free beer on the drinks cart and having a beer himself.
“He’s just a fun guy.”
He said the club had been toasting Cameron’s success since he began winning amateur tournaments.
“They love him. He’s hard to dislike.
“Most of the boys who all play together, we’ll have a few beers this arvo, nothing too radical, we’ve all got work tomorrow.”
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