Cameron Smith hits out at rising star amid slow play drama

Cameron Smith has had a pop at rising star Elvis Smylie after their group was put on the clock during the second round of the Australian Open.

The 31-year-old was already frustrated after a disastrous back nine at Kingston Heath shoved the LIV star from second place to a tie for 18th.

And Smith’s misery was compounded when his group, including Smylie and Victor Perez, were given the hurry up by tournament officials.

It was a decision Smith disagreed with, however, and soon blamed Smylie as the pair were involved in a similar incident at the Australian PGA Championship last Sunday.

“I don’t get put on the clock too often,” he said. “I feel like we do a pretty good job. There is a common denominator there that’s a little bit slower.

“It’s not something I like because I feel like I’m a pretty fast paced player as it is, so being put on the clock is just another thing.

“I feel like I did my best to play as quick as I can, and I feel like I’m running around. I just made a couple of poor choices.

“We got on the clock there and it didn’t seem like we were playing that slow, and it felt like we were just rushing.

“[I] made some really poor choices mentally, I think, led to a few bogeys. You kind of get on that train in that wind and it’s not a good spot to be in.”

• Jon Rahm joins Rory McIlroy for debut in tour event

• Anthony Kim sends warning to LIV rivals

Ahead of the event, Nick Dastey, the general manager of tournaments for the PGA of Australia, brushed aside slow play concerns.

He insisted nothing would change ahead of the Australian Open, as warnings issued to Smith and Smylie in Brisbane were part of a “standard week”.

Meanwhile, Smith said he would not speak to Smylie about speeding up, as “it’s not my job”.

“I think there’s better ways to go about that stuff, but that’s another topic,” he added.

Of course, Smylie – who fired an exceptional eight-under-par round to move into contention – saw no problem with his speed.

“It’s a group thing, it’s not an individual,” Smylie said.

“I feel like I do a very good job whenever I am in the position when I have to keep up with the pace of play.”

• 10 big names who missed out on a PGA Tour card for 2025

• Tour winner hits back at critics of Ryder Cup decision

While being put on the clock made him “a lot more anxious”, Smylie insisted he did the best he could to maintain a fast pace on the course.

“I did a really good job of just focusing on my own game, especially when we were falling a little bit behind, pace wise.

“I was just trying to do my best of walking to the ball and making sure I did my routine, process, and go as soon as I was there to keep the pace up.

“I wasn’t really too concerned what Victor and Cam were doing, but eight-under today, I’m really happy with that.”

A win would see Smylie become only the 7th player to complete the Australian PGA Championship and Open double.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.