NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Cameron Smith has returned from the wilderness and he’s done so with a new swing coach.
Smith, the 2022 British Open winner who resigned his PGA Tour membership at the end of the 2022 season and joined LIV, hadn’t made a cut at a major since the 2024 U.S. Open, a span of six majors. But just a few weeks ago, Smith began working with Claude Harmon III, the swing coach of Dustin Johnson and previously Brooks Koepka. It has paid quick dividends as Smith opened the PGA Championship with rounds of 69 and 71 to snap the cut streak at the majors, and 68 on Saturday to climb to 2-under 208 and only four off the lead.
In the final round, the Aussie captain of The Rippers, has been ripping off birdies and pars. He toured the front nine in 3-under 32 and has made par on the first seven holes of his back nine to sit just a shot off the pace late in his round. So, what’s made the difference? Harmon III explained on Sky Sports.
“He’s trying to work on the backswing being in a little better position,” Harmon said. “I started working with Cam about two weeks ago. Just really trying to get the backswing not being so deep and inside. “It’s been getting quick and inside, and then as his shoulders turn, the club’s been getting across the line. And he’s been fighting Peter Pan, the hook. So, widened out the stance a little bit, just trying to get the backswing in a little bit better position, so he doesn’t have to think so much on the downswing. Just trying to have the club head stay a little bit more in front of his hands going back. Listen, his superpower is short game and putting. But when your ball-striking’s poor, he’s been using his superpower as kind of life support. He’s starting to see the left miss a little bit less, and he likes the way the game is trending, and he knows how to do the rest.”
Does he ever. Smith is in the thick of it late on Sunday and bidding for his second career major title.
Adam Schupak is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering the PGA Tour.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Cameron Smith’s new coach helps him contend for PGA Championship