Four years ago, Cameron Smith dominated the golf world, holding the second spot in the Official World Golf Ranking while clutching major titles like The Players Championship and The Open Championship. Since his last strong showing at the 2024 US Open in Pinehurst, however, the 32-year-old Australian’s form has plummeted. He has missed the cut in six straight majors, including a disappointing 74 and 77 at the recent Masters.

Drastic Coaching Overhaul

Disillusioned with his game, Smith implements a major change ahead of the PGA Championship at Aronimink. He partners with renowned coach Claude Harmon III, son of legendary Butch Harmon and current mentor to LIV Golf’s Dustin Johnson, to address swing flaws.

“I was pretty devastated,” Smith reflects after his first practice round at Aronimink. “I’ve invested a ton of hard work over the past year and a half, yet got zero return. It’s time for a shift.”

The new approach simplifies his swing mechanics. “It’s not complicated,” Smith explains. “I reached a point overloading my mind with too many thoughts, preventing clean shots. Claude boils it down to one key focus instead of a thousand.”

Early signs prove promising. “It feels solid now—I can commit to shots and shape them differently. Progress is building nicely,” he adds. “Claude logs plenty of time on LIV with DJ and carries an stellar reputation.”

LIV Golf Impact Denied

Critics blame Smith’s LIV Golf move for his major struggles, but he rejects that narrative. During a recent LIV Golf preview in Florida, Smith stated, “It’s frustrating—I don’t believe results would differ on any other tour. People link average play to switching tours or slacking off, but it’s the exact opposite.”

Painful Farewell to Long-Time Coach

The switch required parting ways with childhood coach and close friend Grant Field, whom Smith has worked with since age nine. “That talk was awful,” he admits. “Grant’s a true friend, so it hurt. But it’s the right move for my game—I stand by it.”

Smith now tests his revamped setup at the demanding PGA Championship this weekend, aiming to reclaim weekend contention.