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Cameron Smith's task is clear as the three-time Australian PGA Championship winner eyes a bounce-back round to survive the cut in Brisbane.
The defending champion and warm pre-tournament favourite shot a two-over 73 on Thursday at Royal Queensland.
The cut line was one-under early on Friday, meaning Smith likely needs at least a three-under round when he returns to the riverside layout on Friday afternoon to feature over the weekend.
Smith described his round as "frustrating, upsetting .... (and) just crappy" after his usually reliable iron play let him down on the course poised to host Brisbane's 2032 Olympic golf tournament.
Cameron Smith would be a warm favourite and a major drawcard for the Australian PGA Championship
Despite a run of massive results in 2023, the Aussie is struggling to find his mojo at the lead-up event in Queensland
Things that are a lot harder than Cameron Smith makes them look, eg. this bunker shot. Even par after his outward nine on the opening morning of his Australian PGA Championship defence. pic.twitter.com/XhnFJg1tDY
— Adam Pengilly (@app85) November 22, 2023Good showings in Brisbane and at Sydney's Australian Open next week are crucial for Smith, who as a LIV Golf member has limited chances to boost his ranking and earn selection for next year's Paris Games.
He said post-round the trick would be to play with restrained aggression.
"I'd like to think I'm generally a pretty aggressive player anyway," he said.
"I don't think anything's out the window yet.
"It's going to take a lot of good golf, but there's no reason I can't have a good weekend and still be competitive."
Fellow Aussie Lucas Herbert has revived his bid to compete in the Australian PGA Championship with six birdies
Lucas Herbert revived his campaign with six birdies after dropping three early shots to join overnight leader Joel Moscatel Nachshon of Spain at eight-under.
A double bogey on his fourth hole dropped the Australian to two-under but he stormed home with five-under on the inward nine to card a three-under 68.
Smith's playing partner Min Woo Lee (seven-under) and Adam Scott (five-under) are poised for charges when they too begin their second rounds later on Friday.
Min Woo Lee has been battling with Adam Scott for the lead in Brisbane ahead of the Aussie PGA championship
Cameron John managed seven birdies and a bogey in his first 12 holes to sit just one shot back at seven-under with six holes to play.
Curtis Luck nailed an ace at the 17th party hole and was six-under with three holes to play.
Other early second-round movers included Connor McKinney, who was two-under after 13 holes to sit one back with John, while David Micheluzzi (six-under) carded a second-straight round of 68.
Lee, fresh off earning full PGA Tour playing rights, took advantage of his 11.10am start by attending American rapper Post Malone's gig overnight.
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