Cameron Smith declined all post-round media interviews after falling just short at the Australian Open, leaving Royal Melbourne visibly frustrated following another runner-up finish in his national championship.

The 32-year-old, who lost a playoff to Jordan Spieth at Royal Sydney GC nine years ago, had been chasing the Stonehaven Cup he has repeatedly described as the trophy he wants most outside a second major title. 

Despite owning three Australian PGA crowns, the Australian Open remains the one domestic prize that continues to elude him.

Smith, who captains Ripper GC on the LIV Golf League, had arrived at this year’s championship under unusual scrutiny. 

The 150th Open champion had missed all seven cuts in events offering Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points this season — including all four majors — with last week’s early exit from the Australian PGA compounding a difficult year. 

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A victory at Royal Melbourne would not only have been a powerful statement to silence a few critics, but a deeply personal milestone too. 

For much of Sunday, it looked within reach for him. 

Smith stood tied for the lead with Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen on the par-4 18th after just having poured home a 15-footer for birdie on the par-5 17th to remain locked with the Dane. 

After both players split the fairway, Neergaard-Petersen pushed his approach into a patch of rough in the greenside bunker, while Smith found the left side of the green but some 50 feet from the pin. 

When Neergaard-Petersen chipped past the hole to 20 feet, the advantage firmly shifted to Smith. 

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But his first putt pulled up around six feet short. 

Neergaard-Petersen stepped in and drained his clutch 20-footer for par to set the clubhouse target at 15-under par. 

Smith’s short par attempt then slid left, confirming another painful near-miss.

Cameron Smith was left gutted, after blowing a golden opportunity at the Australian Open. pic.twitter.com/kd1AqQT8oA

— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) December 7, 2025

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Neergaard-Petersen’s victory marked his first DP World Tour title just weeks after securing his inaugural PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour Rankings. 

The win also guaranteed him a first appearance at The Masters in April 2026.

But for Smith, the disappointment was unmistakable. 

The Australian Open carries near-major significance for him, especially in front of adoring sell-out home crowds. 

Winless globally since LIV Golf Bedminster in August 2023, he had hoped a triumph at Royal Melbourne would cap a challenging season and realign his career trajectory.

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Instead, he stormed out of the clubhouse without addressing reporters, clearly frustrated and angry at letting the opportunity slide. 

Neergaard-Petersen, however, praised Smith’s sportsmanship despite the heartbreak.

“Absolutely; we’ve all been there,” Neergaard-Petersen said when asked if he felt for the home favourite. 

“I know this is one of the events that are very big for him, so obviously I feel him in that way. I was nowhere [out of position] on 18. I had nothing from the right and somehow, some way I managed to get it up and down. 

“But [Smith] a class act and it was great to be out there with him today.”

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For Smith, the wait for a first Australian Open title — and the Stonehaven Cup he craves — goes on.

For Neergaard-Petersen, the floodgates could now be about to open. 

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