Cameron Smith praises return to traditional format after criticism
Australian golf superstar Cameron Smith says he is much happier with the Australian Open returning to its original format after being highly critical of event organizers last year when men and women played simultaneously.
Smith, who lamented the softer situation at Kingston Heath last year due to a shared format with the women, told reporters on Tuesday that she had been consulted about separating the men’s and women’s events this year.
Cameron Smith is much happier with the Australian Open returning to its original format.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve certainly had a few conversations with Golf Australia and [CEO] Especially James Sutherland. “I think there’s been a lot of back and forth over the last few years and I think everyone is pretty happy with the outcome,” he said.
“Everybody’s talking about the Aussie Open again, that’s what we wanted. We wanted to get back to the Royal Melbourne and we wanted it to be an event where international stars would come and compete and make it the event it once was, so I think we’re on the right track.”
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Smith was highly critical of the event at Kingston Heath 12 months ago and said he believed conditions at the venue had been made easier for female players to take part in the joint event.
Since 2022, men and women have played simultaneously on two home venues.
“I’m not happy with the way things are going,” Smith told Fox Sports at the time.
“I think the biggest problem is the format and how it’s structured.
