Zen like Smith ready for PGA

Cameron Smith sees no reason why he can’t replicate his major championship debut and contend for the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

The 21-year-old Queenslander lines up in his second major championship this week, just a few months after finishing tied fourth at the US Open at Chambers Bay, confident he can once again contend against the best in the world.

The youngster stamped his name as one to watch with his Chambers Bay performance, refusing to be overawed and then producing one of the shots of the tournament when he drilled a 265-metre three wood to tap in range for eagle on the 72nd hole.

The result ensured temporary membership on the US PGA tour for the remainder of the year and his place on the main tour as a fulltime member is all but rubber stamped for the 2015-16 season starting in October.

Despite the career changing moment, Smith has his feet still firmly on the ground and appears more relaxed then most of the 156-man field.

“The US Open hasn’t lifted my expectations. I generally don’t put too much pressure on myself. I just go out there and play and see what happens,” a Zen-like Smith told AAP.

“I’m excited to be here. The course is good. I am treating it like it is just another tournament and if I do my prep well, get a good game plan, and stick to it then it should be good.

“I don’t have any goals in mind other than performing my best and if I do that then the good results will come. Now that I will have my card next season there is not much pressure on me so I am freed up and can just go out and play.”

Smith said his return to Australia after Chambers Bay was a buzz as everyone wanted to know about ‘that shot’ and it is something he will always use going forward in his career.

“It will be in the memory banks for a while that one,” he confirmed.

“It’s a massive confidence builder to know I can do it under the pressure of a major.”

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