- Aussie has taken the early lead at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky
- Needs to win the second PGA Tour Major of the year to reach Paris
- Comes after the decision on LIV has been made. Golfers put him behind the eight ball
The Olympic flame continues to flicker for Australian golfer Cameron Smith, who continues to compete in the must-win PGA Tour event in Kentucky, the United States.
Smith was relieved after a strong three-under-par start at the PGA Championship, thanks to his reliable putter.
That included an incredible par after seemingly walking on water by taking off his shoes and socks and hitting out of a shallow stream to stay in the fight.
With his 68, he led the Australian contingent, six shots behind American leader Xander Schauffele.
To qualify for the Paris Olympics, Smith must win this tournament in Kentucky, but he faces stiff competition from Jason Day and Min Woo Lee for spots on the Australian Olympic golf team.
Smith took off his shoes and socks to make this shot on even footing in Kentucky, where he is still in contention Friday
The Australian must win at the Valhalla Golf Club to have a chance of participating in the Olympic Games
Currently ranked No. 61, Smith’s Olympic chances hinge on victory here as he cannot earn points from LIV Golf events.
After Kentucky, only the US Open remains for Smith to improve his ranking before the June 13 cut-off. His Olympic dream is crucial, especially after narrowly missing out on a bronze medal in Tokyo.
He regretted not going lower, but after battling a reluctant putter and still finishing in sixth place at the Masters, Smith was pleased enough with his start to the second major championship of the year.
“I probably hit the ball pretty well the first 12 to 13 holes,” Smith said.
“I let it go a little bit at the end, but everything felt really good and I managed to make some good par saves and keep the momentum going for tomorrow.”
Some much-needed relaxation was the priority before anticipating what would be a grueling final three laps on the challenging 7,609-metre track.
“It’s going to be a long week,” Smith said.
‘I think you know that at the beginning of the week: it’s an important week. It’s always more demanding.
“So let’s get some rest this afternoon, maybe play some ball, put some stuff away and have a good night’s sleep tonight.”
After starting on the 10th tee, Smith collected four birdies in his first 13 holes to chase Schauffele.
But he drove into the natal area on the par-4 fifth to record his only blemish of the round before scrambling home with four straight pars to move into a tie for ninth.
Smith is competing with Aussie Jason Day for a spot on the Olympic team for Paris
Smith’s LIV Golf teammate Lucas Herbert was the second-best Australian after signing for a two-under 69.
“Everything was decent, but nothing was great,” Herbert said.
‘I started badly there, but made up for it with four birdies.
“I think I holed out really well, holed some nice five-footers, some kind of eight-footers, just to keep my momentum going through the round, through the back nine and not drop shots when I might have been struggling a little bit.”
Adam Scott never got going in a one-over 72 that matched his playing partner Tiger Woods.
Scott failed to make a single birdie all morning, but limited the damage with his only bogey on the par-3 14th, his fifth hole of the day.
Jason Day, Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis all had afternoon starts for Thursday’s opening round.