Cameron Smith is back with a vengeance, and he’s not afraid to admit that a win at the Australian Open would silence his critics! After a shaky performance at the Australian PGA Championship, Smith is now in contention, just two shots behind leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is relying on a final-round miracle after a rollercoaster of a tournament so far, including an unfortunate encounter with a banana peel!
Smith, currently at -12, shares second place with Si Woo Kim and Carlos Ortiz. He's carrying the hopes of a nation eager to end Australia's six-year drought in its national open. Hot on his heels are fellow Aussies Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, both at -10, keeping the pressure firmly on.
"Yeah, it’s just nice being in contention," Smith told reporters, highlighting the refreshing feeling of being in the hunt. "It’s been a while since I’ve had this feeling to be honest... I couldn’t think of a better place to get back into form.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Smith didn't shy away from addressing his detractors: "It would shut a few people up," he admitted. He quickly clarified that silencing critics wasn't his primary goal, emphasizing his internal motivation to perform well under pressure. He added, "I mean the goal is to go out there and play well, but I think motivation is just for myself to go out there and play well under these conditions... it’d just be nice to do that.” His honesty raises the question: Is it wrong for athletes to want to prove their doubters wrong, or should their focus be solely on their own game? What do you think?
Smith's journey to this point hasn't been smooth sailing. His missed cut at the Australian PGA Championship last week sparked concerns about his form, particularly in non-LIV Golf events. However, a stunning chip-in eagle on the par-5 14th during the third round ignited the crowd and reminded everyone of his undeniable talent.
Min Woo Lee displayed resilience, recovering from a difficult start to card four birdies in his final seven holes, ending the day at -10. Adam Scott, fresh off a T6 finish at the Aus PGA, remains a strong contender, starting the final round four shots behind Neergaard-Petersen.
Despite intermittent rain, over 30,000 fans flocked to Royal Melbourne, witnessing a late surge from Rory McIlroy. McIlroy carded four back-nine birdies, including two at the final holes to finish the day at -3 for a total of -5. And this is the part most people miss... While this late rally was impressive, McIlroy himself acknowledges that he'll likely need a record-breaking round on Sunday to have any chance of winning.
The most talked-about moment of McIlroy's round? An errant drive on the second hole landed his ball next to a banana peel. Forced to play the ball as it lay, McIlroy ended up with a double bogey. "I feel like this week’s a week of firsts in a lot of ways," McIlroy quipped. "I mean, I shouldn’t have been there in the first place, but yeah, it wasn’t the best to start... Just need to figure out how to make a few more birdies on the front.”
McIlroy is realistic about his chances. "I’m probably going to be a little too far behind to challenge but hopefully I can finish my week on a high and record my best score of the four days,” he told Fox Sports.
Meanwhile, leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, bound for the PGA Tour, capped off an impressive round with four birdies in his final five holes. "I felt like I played some really good golf and obviously really happy with the finish,” he said.
Adding to the excitement, World No. 740 Jack Buchanan made a significant leap, firing a seven-under 64 to surge into contention. Buchanan, now at -7, is just six shots off the lead. His remarkable performance comes after securing his spot on the 2026 DP World Tour last month. Buchanan believes he can continue his strong play in the final round, stating, "I think I can still go low tomorrow... I think the way they set the course up today is pretty tough on some pins you need to manage your ball well."
So, with Cameron Smith seeking redemption, Rory McIlroy needing a miracle, and Jack Buchanan emerging as a dark horse, the final round of the Australian Open promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. Who are you rooting for? And do you think Smith's 'shut a few people up' mentality is a valid source of motivation, or should athletes focus solely on their own performance?
