Cameron Smith sends defiant message hours before The Open: "I am trying my a*** off"

Former Open winner Cameron Smith has claimed he is working his butt off to try and rediscover the form that made him a champion golfer of the year. 

The 31-year-old Australian won the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews three years ago and was expected to contend for many more major championships. 

But critics have suggested he is not the same player since he decided to join the PIF-backed LIV Golf a few months after his remarkable triumph at the home of golf. 

Despite winning multiple times on the breakaway tour, Smith's performances in golf's big four are clearly not representative of his talents.

Since making the reported $120m switch, he has struggled to rediscover the form that saw him lift the Claret Jug and even the coveted Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. 

But the golfer, who has missed the cut at The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open this year, claimed that isn't because of a lack of effort. 

"It's such a weird game sometimes," Smith told Golf Australia ahead of The Open at Royal Portrush. "I feel like I've been playing really good and not really getting much out of my golf.

"It's been a really frustrating year. Everything feels good, particularly on the range, on the putting green and stuff like that. I just have struggled to take it to the course and feel like it's now coming out.

"I feel like I'm getting more confidence and committing to more shots and maybe hitting the shot that I don't necessarily feel comfortable with, but the right shot. So that's when I play my best and, yeah, it's coming.

"I am trying my arse off, there's no doubt about that. I don't think much has been able to click from my practice to tournament play and it's not from lack of hard work; it's just been lack of commitment out in the golf course."

Smith is among the early starters on Thursday. 

He'll play the first two rounds of The Open alongside Marco Penge and Justin Hastings. 

Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to clinch his first Open title and move one step closer to completing the career grand slam. 

Rory McIlroy and Smith's LIV peers Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are expected to mount serious challenges. 

It's awesome. He's a great guy, I've always loved Peakey," said Smith.

"Obviously got himself into a bit of strife, but it's good to see him back out here playing golf for one, but also having just turned his life around. As a mate, that's something you want to see. So, yeah, good for him."

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