Cameron Smith is confident he can join an elite club when he tees it up this week aiming for a third win in a row at the Australian PGA Championship.
The home favourite would sit alongside World Number Ones Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Ian Woosnam, and eight time European Number One Colin Montgomerie as the only players to have won the same European Tour event three seasons in a row since 1972 should he lift the trophy on Sunday.
And while he admits there is some fatigue following his appearance at last week's Presidents Cup, Smith is feeling good about his prospects of a hat-trick at RACV Royal Pines Resort.
“It’s a little bit more stressful," he said. "Last week was a big week on and off the golf course, I’m still a little bit tired but I’m sure tomorrow will hype me up and I will be ready to go.
"I feel pretty confident in my game, it’s probably the best I’ve felt with my iron play all year - to do it on such a challenging layout last week against some of the best players in the world was good. I can’t wait for this week and I’m feeling good.
“I like the golf course, I play well around here. It’s just such a good week for me off the golf course - lots of family and friends, the support is really good throughout the week."
Smith was also chasing history last week on his Presidents Cup debut as the International team sought just a second win in the event's history against the United States.
They led heading into the singles and while Smith took down Justin Thomas head to head, it was the Americans who eventually emerged victorious.
Despite defeat in Melbourne, Smith enjoyed his experience of team competition, although he is fully aware last week's team-mates will go straight back to being the competition.
“Last week was very team orientated, which was great, I love being around a team," he said. "The team embraced the underdog mentality but I’ve got a good record around here. I’m feeling really confident with where my game is at.
"As soon as we were done, Adam (Scott) said he was coming for me this week. There’s 150 guys this week all wanting the same thing, so it’s going to be tough to get that trophy on Sunday.”
Scott was making his ninth Presidents Cup appearance last week as part of a glittering career than has seen him win the Masters Tournament and reach the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
His last European Tour win came in 2016 and he would love to take his tally to 11 this week with a second Australian PGA Championship triumph.
“Obviously Cam’s had a good run here but that’s got to come to an end at some point,” he said.
“My goal is to bring a similar kind of focus that I had going last week to the golf course and try and get my name on that trophy again.
"I’m really pleased with where my golf is from leaving Melbourne, if I can bring some of that out here this week then I think I’ve got a good chance of getting myself in for a chance to win, that sounds fun to me. I’d like to try and take some good momentum into next year.”
