'Hard' phone call to end 23-year relationship vindicated by stunning Cameron Smith major charge
His dream of adding a second major might have faded in the back nine at Aronimink, but Cameron Smith believes the decision to move on from long time coach Grant Field is already paying dividends and will eventually lead him to adding a major to the Claret Jug he won in 2022.
After missing six straight cuts in majors, the 32-year-old Queenslander soared up the leaderboard of the US PGA over the weekend and even moved into second spot during his fourth round on Monday (AEST).
His rise up the leaderboard came after a hot front nine, where he peeled off three birdies to move to five-under for the tournament.
READ MORE: Daley explains brutal axing as six Blues debutants named
READ MORE: Angry McIlroy snaps at fan as Smith returns to big time
READ MORE: Australia's new Gout rival sets insane 100m national record
But a frustrating back nine, including a bogey on 17, saw Smith's bid to win a second major fall over as he carded a two-under 68, which was good enough for tied-seventh. Englishman Aaron Rai sealed his first major win with a stunning final round of five-under to finish nine-under for the tournament, three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.
Nonetheless, after a disappointing couple of years at majors since joining LIV Golf, the Australian said he would leave Pennsylvania feeling brighter and more confident about his game, particularly his swing, after making the difficult decision to leave his childhood coach.
Cameron Smith of Australia acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green. Getty
"Just belief that I'm doing the right thing, that's really it," said Smith, when asked what he would take away from the second major of the year.
"It was a hard call to make to my coach.
"I'd been seeing Grant since I was nine years old, so I'd been with him for 23 years and it was probably one of the most difficult phone calls that I've ever had to make.
"It's still kind of lingering, but I feel like I've made the right call, and I can see it in my golf and my strike of the ball and seeing some different shots, it's been nice."
It was only last week that Smith revealed he had started working with renowned swing coach Claude Harmon III, whose father famously mentored the likes of Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott.
Cameron Smith hits a bunker shot on the 16th during the final round of the PGA Championship. Getty
The decision to call time on his partnership with Field came after a wretched run at majors and a miserable spell with the driver.
Although Smith only hit six fairways during his third round and a further three from 14 during his final round, the Australian insisted he was making progress.
"I feel like I've got a lot more confidence in my swing," said Smith, who joined Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Scott, Jason Day and Steve Elkington as the only Aussie men to record 10 major top tens.
"Even out there today, under the pressure I felt like I was able to trust it already. So lots of positive signs."
During the third round, Harmon joined Sky Sports' coverage to share some insights about his work with Smith.
"He's trying to work on the backswing being in a little better position," he 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 to kind of life support. So, 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."
Smith's resurgence is timely, not just for interest in Australia but especially amid uncertainty surrounding the future of LIV Golf.
And with his guaranteed entries into The Masters, US Open and PGA Championship ending next year, the top 10 finish will only help his confidence heading into the US Open at Shinnecock Hills next month and July's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
"I feel like I've thrived in major championships my whole career," he said.
"I feel like I've been able to play my best golf in major championships, and that kind of fell off. And like I mentioned before, I don't think it was from a lack of hard work.
"I just think you lose a little bit of confidence in your swing and maybe in your brain, and it can all happen so quickly. That's why I needed a fresh voice in the head and kind of almost a restart and like I said, it's felt good so far."