Two Australian amateur golfers will be among the spectators at the 2023 US Open as guests of Open champion Cameron Smith after winning his annual scholarship.
Both Jeffrey Guan, 18, and 17-year-old Joseph Buttress have been flown over to Los Angeles Country Club from Australia and have spent time watching how Smith prepares for a Major before then watching the US Open live in person.
Created in 2016, now LIV Golf star Smith annually flies two winners of his scholarship program over to the USA to get behind the scenes access to life at the very top of pro golf.
The trip of a lifetime sees the two teenagers get golfing lessons from Smith at his home in Florida, as well as workout advice along with playing rounds with the Australian.
The pair were then flown across the United States on a private jet to attend the US Open, where they got to watch Smith face the media ahead of his bid for a second Major.
“It’s been so cool to watch how dedicated Cam is to his game. From the gym sessions to practice, it’s easy to see why he’s one of the best in the world,” Buttress said to Australian Golf Digest.
Guan added: “It’s pretty inspiring and reminds us we have so much to work on. Cam is so world-class in every area of his game.”
The pair of aspiring golfers picked some week to get under the skin of life as a modern-day pro, as they touched down in the USA just as the seismic PGA Tour deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund was revealed.
After playing golf with Smith in the Jacksonville area, the pair also walked seven holes with the 29-year-old during his practice for the US Open on Tuesday.
Buttress is a rising star from Western Australia, while Guan claimed the Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass just six months after Smith won the senior version - the PGA Tour's flagship event.
By now getting a close-up glimpse of what life is like in the pro game - dealing with LIV Golf, mergers and all the questions that come with such changes in golf - will be an eye-opening experience for the young Australians.
They're certainly two names worth watching out for in the future to see if this extra help from Smith will help them to make it in the pros.
-
Meet The 8 Amateurs Playing In The Chevron ChampionshipThe Chevron Championship includes eight amateurs – here are the details of the rising stars and how they reached the first women’s Major of the year
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The RBC HeritageThe latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events offers a huge prize for the winner, and the caddie alongside the champion is due for a big payday too
-
LIV Golfers Back Decision To Split Australian OpenCameron Smith has welcomed the decision to hold the men's and women's Australian Opens separately - saying it will help to strengthen both tournaments
-
Smith Blames Protege Smylie As 'Common Denominator' In Latest Slow Play WarningCameron Smith saw his second round crumble at the Australian Open after being put on the clock - which he appeared to partially blame on his young protege Elvis Smylie
-
'That's A Bull**** Excuse' - Cameron Smith Sounds Off Over 'Disappointing' Course Conditions At Australian OpenThe LIV player aired his frustration over soft and slow conditions at both Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club and refused to accept recent heavy rain was primarily responsible
-
BMW Australian PGA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024Cameron Smith is one of a host of big names competing at Royal Queensland Golf Club as the new DP World Tour season gets underway
-
'The Best Decision Of My Life' - Cameron Smith Insists He Has No Regrets Over Leaving The PGA TourThe Australian left the PGA Tour shortly after lifting the Claret Jug at St Andrews - and he has no regrets
-
'It's One That I've Always Wanted' - Cameron Smith Commits To Fourth Home Event Of Australian SummerThe LIV golfer will play in his fifth home event this year after signing up for the Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club from November 28 to December 1.
-
LIV Golf's Cameron Smith Adds Surprising Home Event To His Schedule For The First TimeLIV Golf's Cameron Smith has signed up to play in the NSW Open Golf Championship later this year - an event Greg Norman has won four times
-
First Ever LIV Team Playoff Sees Ripper GC Claim Dramatic Home Victory Over South Africans At LIV Golf AdelaideThe deep-rooted Australia v South Africa sporting rivalry continued with a thrilling set of extra holes at The Grange
