Cameron Smith adopting simple approach at Australian Open as he chases victory
Cameron Smith is just off the lead at the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. (Getty Images: Josh Chadwick)
In short:
Cameron Smith is two shots off the lead at the Australian Open.
Smith fired a 6-under-par 65 in the second round at Royal Melbourne.
The 2022 British Open champion shares fourth place with Adam Scott and Carlos Ortiz.
When Cameron Smith was asked what it would take for him to win the Australian Open ahead of the final two rounds, his answer was blunt.
"Good golf," the 2022 British Open champion told reporters following his second round at Royal Melbourne on Friday.
To say the least, Smith's reply did not beat around the bush.
But it did reflect the simple approach he adopted as he moved into contention for the Stonehaven Cup with a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 in the second round.
Smith sank six birdies to share fourth place on 7-under with fellow Australian major winner Adam Scott and Mexican Carlos Ortiz.
It will be more of the same for Smith on 'moving day', the colloquial title given to the third round, as he looks to chase down co-leaders Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Daniel Rodrigues, who are 9-under for the tournament.
"I don't think I need to do anything different," Smith said.
"That (second round) was just really solid, really committed to shapes, and shots and flights. It was just nice to do that. I gained a lot of confidence out of that."
Despite describing himself as a "pretty gritty player", Smith cut a casual figure as he strode the fairways in his second round, playing alongside rising Australian star Elvis Smylie and Englishman Danny Willett.
The laid-back Queenslander seemed to thrive on the fact much of the spectator interest surrounded the star-studded trio of Rory McIlroy, Min Woo Lee and Scott, who were playing ahead of his group.
Cameron Smith (right) played with Danny Willett during the second round on Friday. (Getty Images: Josh Chadwick)
That is not to say the galleries following Smith, Smylie and Willett were lacking in numbers, as there was enough fan support to create a vibrant atmosphere.
"There wasn't yelling and screaming out there, thank God," Smith said.
"There was a lot of people. But it was good fun out there."
Smith's form line ahead of the Australian Open might have left tournament organisers anxious about whether one of their drawcards would be playing this weekend.
After a promising start to the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane last week, Smith capitulated in his second round to miss the cut at 2-over.
The 32-year-old comfortably avoided the same fate in Melbourne but stressed he did not travel to the Victorian capital just to make up the numbers.
"I'm not here to make the cut," Smith said.
"I'm here to win the Stonehaven Cup and I've put myself in a good spot to do that, so I'm really happy with that."
Smith, Scott and Ortiz will tee off in the second-last group of the third round at 11.39am AEDT.