THE 149TH OPEN

July 15, 2021

Cameron Smith

Mixed Zone

Q. Cam, 1-under to start your 149th Open. Can reflect on round for us?

CAMERON SMITH: Yeah, it was a bit scratchy at the start I guess. Just awkward wind for me, that down and off to the left kind of wind has always been a struggle of mine. I knew going into the first hole that those first four holes are that wind, and to get through those four level par I thought was a pretty good effort.

From there it was just really solid stuff, not many silly mistakes. Bogey there on 15, bit of a poor drive leaked to the right. But that's just links golf. Hit a lot of good shots coming in and probably wanted one more, but that's how it is.

Q. 1-under is a nice way to start the championship. Heading into tomorrow, you got an opportunity to really build on that and move your way up the leaderboard.

CAMERON SMITH: Yeah, it was quite brutal out there this afternoon, to be honest. Windy, gusty. I don't think the morning boys quite had the gust. When the wind goes up and down like that it's just tough to read.

You know, hopefully we get a morning like that tomorrow.

Q. Can you give us your thoughts on links golf. Growing up in Australia you played on the sand belt a lot and you've got a really good short game. It would tend to lend itself to those this kind of layout?

CAMERON SMITH: Yeah, I think so. I think having a good short game is never a bad thing. Can get you out of some pretty hairy situations. But, yeah, it's much like home. Probably just a touch windier.

You have to play the ball along the ground probably a bit more. I love it. It presents a nice challenge. The layout here is really good, good mix of holes, few wedges, longer irons, and a few really tough holes there at the back.

So, yeah, I love it.

Q. You made birdies on the 12th and 14th. Talk us through both of those holes.

CAMERON SMITH: Yeah, 12 I hit a good drive down there. Only had about 80 metres in. Just a nice wedge in behind the hole and finally made a birdie.

Took me 12 holes to make a birdie, but like I said, it was solid before that. Just the putts weren't dropping. 3-wood and a 5-iron up close to the green on 14 and a nice bunker shot, and I finished.