SYDNEY, Aug 25, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - World number two Cameron Smith confirmed
Thursday he will headline Australia's two top golf tournaments later this
year, saying he was "so excited" to be heading home.

The British Open champion has enjoyed a phenomenal year, but has also been at
the centre of speculation that he is on the verge of defecting from the US
PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

Smith will tee off at both the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane from
November 24 -- an event he won in 2017 and 2018 -- and the Australian Open in
Melbourne on December 1.

"I've had an unbelievable year and to be coming home to play tournaments is
the icing on the cake," he said in a statement.

"I'm so excited to see friends and family again. Some of them I haven't seen
for years now and once I get to the golf course, I've got my eye on some more
trophies."

Both events are co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, but even if Smith joins
Greg Norman's LIV series he will be eligible to play with Australasian Tour
members not currently banned if they commit to the breakaway league.

The men's and women's Australian Open will take place at the same time and
the same venues this year as part of efforts to widen golf's appeal.

Held at the famous Sandbelt area of Melbourne, the Victoria Golf Club will be
the primary venue across all four days with Kingston Heath Golf Club hosting
play on the opening two days.

Men and women will earn equal prize money.

South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai, who won the British Open this month, headlines
the women's field.

"I love coming to Australia and playing on some of the best golf courses in
the world," she said.