What a bombshell: After his strong performance at the PGA Championship, Cameron Smith not only impressed with his play but also confirmed a true shake-up in his coaching setup. While he narrowly missed out on the ultimate prize, the news about his new swing guru, Claude Harmon III, almost overshadowed his on-course performance.
Smith delivered a stellar round on Sunday, closing his final round with a 68 to finish at 4-under par. A comeback charge that truly thrilled fans watching from home. The striking detail: the Australian revealed that he had already switched his long-time coach several weeks prior. Harmon and he had "cleaned up a few things," which directly manifested in more confidence and an improved ability to trust his swing under pressure.
A Farewell After 23 Years
However, the decision was no easy one. It was extremely emotional, as Smith had worked with Grant Field since he was nine years old – a proud 23-year partnership that has now come to an end. He himself described the call to terminate the collaboration as "one of the hardest phone calls I've ever had to make." This highlights the profound personal significance of this step for him.
The Upward Trend
The recent PGA Championship was a crucial step forward for Smith. Previously, he had missed the cut in six consecutive Majors – things simply weren't clicking. Now, things are clearly moving in the right direction. The near-miss is a signal that the coaching change is bearing fruit and Smith's game is strong once again. Whether this adjustment will now consistently propel him to the top of elite events remains to be seen, but the signs are promising.
