Cameron Smith rips into staging of famous golf event: "I don't like the way it's going..."

LIV Golf star Cameron Smith has ripped into the staging and structure of his home Australian Open after it was recently turned into a dual-gender tournament. 

Smith, 31, made his feelings be known about the Australian Open during a press event with his LIV Golf team, Ripper GC, ahead of the new 2025 season.

The 152nd Open champion considers the course setup at Kingston Heath in Melbourne for the 2024 Australian Open played in November was hugely "disappointing" because it failed to provide the firm and fast conditions of a typical Australian Open.

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The Australian Open, which was first established in 1904, was once referred to as the "fifth major" by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy.

Nicklaus won the Australian Open a record six times, with McIlroy winning it in 2013. 

Jordan Spieth came over to win it twice in 2014 and 2016. 

Tiger Woods played in a couple of Australian Opens but he failed to ever win it. 

Smith believes the conditions of the course were changed in order to cater for the tournament recently turning into a dual-gender tournament. 

He went on to finish T39 on 3-under par at the 2024 Australian Open.

That was 15 shots behind America's Ryggs Johnston. 

South Korea's Jiyai Shin won the ladies event by two shots on 17-under par. 

The Australian Open has featured both the men's and women's Opens played on the same course at the same time since 2022. 

Smith is one of a number of top Australian players who reportedly want to see immediate change in 2025. 

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland has since defended the format of last November's Australian Open.

Sutherland explained to the media that staging separate tournaments for both men and women is not commercially viable.

Smith has not yet spoken with Sutherland. 

"He definitely knows my feelings but it's a conversation that I need to have for sure, because I just don't like the way it's going," Smith told Golf Australia. 

Smith's fellow Ripper GC teammate Matt Jones added: "A men's Australian Open should be a standalone event."

Cameron Smith wants to see immediate change at the Australian Open

Smith is also not a fan of seeing players tee off the 10th when they are in contention for the coveted Australian Open heading into the final round.

And that's even coming from someone who plays on the LIV Golf League where they operate a shotgun start every round.

"Two years ago, Adam Scott was four shots off the lead and he teed off the 10th hole two hours before the leaders - stuff like that just can't happen," said a frustrated Smith.

"And it happened again this year, I know we had some bad weather ... but it's not how the Aussie Open should be, particularly in Melbourne.

"It needs to be firm and fast and the best player needs to win and I am just not sure if that has been the case."

Smith considers if changes are made to the Australian Open and it gets back to what it once was then big-name players from LIV Golf such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka may even consider getting involved. 

The Ripper GC captain said: "I feel like we have to put on a really good tournament and the players will come - I think that is why we have seen a lack of talent and a lack of high-ranked golfers for the last two years. We will see what happens."