His trusted caddie back on the bag, Cameron Smith has lived up to the hype to capture the first-round lead at the NSW Open on the Murray River.
The Pied Piper of the fairways drew a huge gallery of some 1000 fans on Thursday and didn't disappoint with a course-record, bogey-free seven-under-par 64 start to the tournament.
After starting on the 10th tee, Smith wowed fans with birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes to nab the outright lead before even making the turn.
The 2022 British Open champion collected three more birdies on his inward nine to claim a one-stroke lead over his LIV Golf Ripper teammate Lucas Herbert and less heralded trio Andrew Martin, Nathan Page and Christopher Wood.
"It was a little bit tricky out there today as well," Smith said.
"I thought I did a really good job of just hitting lots of fairways and giving myself plenty of opportunities.
"That's what you need to do around here.
"There were lots of wedges into greens and being one of the first out there today, it was nice to take advantage of that."
The one-time world No.2 credited his regular caddie Sam Pinfold for restoring order somewhat on Thursday after needing his coach Grant Field to carry his clubs during his tie for third at the Queensland PGA Championship two weeks ago.
"He was horrendous," Smith said half-joking of Field's caddying.
"So it was nice to get some positive thoughts and actual numbers out of him (Pinfold) and get back to some really good stuff."
Playing alongside Smith, Herbert carded a six-under 65 as the cream rose to the top among the morning starters at Murray Downs Golf and Country Club.
Contesting his first event since helping Smith and company win the season-ending LIV Golf team championship in September, Herbert surprised himself with his nine-birdies, three-bogeys round.
"I've been kind of rusty coming into the week so I can't expect too much but to walk off with a 65, it certainly exceeded my expectations," he said.
"I didn't expect that, so I'm very happy with that."
Former amateur ace Harrison Crowe is one stroke further back in a five-way tie for sixth after opening with a 66.
But already Smith, who is in the midst of a rare four-event stint down under, is the man to catch.
The Florida-based superstar is hunting a first victory in 15 months as he gears up for Australia's two "majors" - next week's PGA Championship at Royal Queensland and then the flagship Australian Open in Melbourne.
