Defending Open Championship titleholder, Cameron Smith, has revealed that his motivation to perform well in the upcoming tournament is driven by personal growth rather than any external factors. The Australian golfer, who secured his first major title at the 150th Open Championship in 2022, aims to continue proving himself on the course. Smith’s remarkable victory saw him produce a remarkable back nine, including six birdies, to surpass third-round leader Rory McIlroy by two shots. American Cam Young finished as the solo second, one stroke behind Smith.

Following his memorable win, Smith made headlines by becoming the highest-ranked player in the world at the time to join the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf. The tour, led by Greg Norman, had previously engaged in disputes with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour but recently reached an agreement with the Saudi sovereign fund, Public Investment Fund.

While Smith’s affiliation with LIV Golf brought attention to the tour, he emphasized that his personal drive to excel on the golf course is not tied to any external motivations. Currently ranked seventh in the world, Smith expressed his determination to continually improve his game and strive to become a better golfer with each passing week.

Rather than setting high expectations, Smith focuses on giving his best effort and maintaining a meticulous approach to preparation. He believes that by ticking all the necessary boxes and fully committing himself, success will naturally follow. Smith acknowledged that last year’s exceptional performance made winning almost an expectation, but he recognizes that this mindset is not conducive to sustained success in golf.

Confident in his current form, Smith believes he is playing even better than he did last year, which serves as a warning to the field, including India’s Shubhankar Sharma. As he prepares to defend his Open Championship title, Smith remains dedicated to personal growth and giving his all in every tournament.