First the call to play on the LIV circuit, now young Sydney golfer shares dream round with world No.1

Sydneysider Travis Smyth is living the dream as he embarks on his second Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in England, but life is about to get even better.

Earlier this year, the long-haired golfer who hails from Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast was called up by one of the game’s biggest stars, Bryson DeChambeau, to play for his Crushers GC team at a LIV Golf event in South Korea.

Things got better on Wednesday when the world No.145 found himself alongside the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler during a practice round in front of a huge gallery, with fans scrambling for a glimpse of the defending champion.

Smyth is also poised to earn a call-up to the all-Australian Ripper GC team for upcoming LIV Golf events, joining Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert after an injury to fellow Australian Elvis Smylie.

After the Open, Smyth will make his way to JCB Golf & Country Club to compete at LIV Golf UK.

Throw in victories at the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship in Auckland and another title in Japan earlier this year, sealed with a 25-foot eagle putt on the final hole, and it has been a “life-changing year” for the 31-year-old who will be among seven Australians teeing up this week.

“I feel like the player that I am now, I saw myself getting here well before this. The way it’s come in the last five months is pretty surreal,” said Smyth, who hit a hole in one at the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool. “I just pinch myself all the time. I’m just over the moon with the progress.”

If Smyth never becomes one of the game’s superstars, he will always have the memory of walking nine holes alongside Scheffler and watching golf’s dominant force prepare for a major. The world No.1 completed his final hit-out before the Open, flanked by an entourage of coaches and family, including two-year-old son Bennett.

At one point, Scheffler asked his son for a read on the 15th green. The putt missed, prompting a laugh from the two-time Masters champion.

Smyth, who is based in Sydney and practises at the St Michael’s Golf Club, chatted regularly with Scheffler throughout their round before the pair shared the 18th fairway with hundreds of spectators from behind the ropes following the American.

The Australian asked Scheffler questions and studied his game at close quarters, which is built off a booming drive and magnificent approach shots.

Smyth has been called up as a reserve on a number of occasions for LIV Golf and missed the cut at the PGA Championship this year.

But his opportunity with DeChambeau’s Crushers GC paid immediate dividends when Smyth finished eighth as his team claimed victory at LIV Golf Korea.

Smyth, however, admits he still wonders what the future holds for LIV Golf as uncertainty continues to surround the circuit.

“It plays on my mind in that I hope it sticks around,” Smyth said. “I feel quite optimistic that every time I do go as a reserve, I’m going to get in. I’m happy to be part of it.

“This year has been constantly travelling back to Sydney, unpack the bags, pack the bags and go again. It’s just been non-stop and pretty nuts. But the body feels pretty good, probably the best it ever has. I love this lifestyle and I wouldn’t ask for anything else.

“I’d say 100 per cent I am where I am today because of the mental stuff that I’ve been working on.

“I also love St Michael’s. The afternoons there are magical. It’s my office.”

Glorious weather is forecast for The Open Championship, but one of the biggest talking points has been Royal Birkdale itself, with unusually dry, firm conditions expected to dramatically change how the course plays.

Australia’s Lucas Herbert said this week he may not take the driver out with him because of the amount of run available off the tee.

There are several lengthy par fours - including a daunting 465-metre par final hole - but the thick links rough is expected to heavily punish anyone who strays from the fairway.

“I’ve never honestly played a tournament this baked out, so I don’t really know what to expect but I’m excited for the challenge,” Smyth said.

“It’s a unique thing that we don’t get to play on very often.”