It could be the best $10,000 Australian Open organisers spend.
While the likes of former world No. 1s Jason Day and Adam Scott have commanded north of $500,000 in appearance money at the Open, Cameron Smith, our next big thing, has settled on a much smaller and modest figure to try and win the Stonehaven Cup.
Drawcard: Cameron Smith is the highest-ranked Australian contesting this week's tournament in Sydney.Credit:AP
"I got my hotel taken care of and the flights,'' Smith told Fairfax Media on Tuesday, after meeting young fans at the practice range at The Lakes.
"I'm just glad to be back in Australia.
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"I've worked hard back at home the last couple of weeks, just trying to prepare for this week. I really want this one.
"It's a combination of winning the PGA last year and this is the last one to tick off in Australia.
"I've dreamt of it since growing up and watching the others play. Now I'm in a position to do it and I want to do it.''
Open organisers have come under fire for not securing bigger names, especially perennial Australian summer pin-up Scott who was in Sydney at the start of the week.
Appearance money has always been afforded to the bigger names and genuine stars. American Dustin Johnson makes himself available for a reported $2 million at any time of the year.
It would have been a complete disaster if a player like Smith, the world No. 33 who charged to a top-five finish at The Masters this year, had also been an Open no-show.
He lost in a play-off to Jordan Spieth in 2016 – the moment most people suddenly realised there was more than one talented sportsman in Australia by the name Cameron Smith – and then finished fourth last year.
Bookies have installed Smith as the $8 favourite with the Queenslander expected to attract the biggest gallery.
"I'm here and trying to win the Australian Open, I'm the best-ranked Aussie, but it doesn't mean I'm the only one flying the flag,'' Smith said.
"There are plenty of guys here capable [of winning].
"We've focused this year on getting into the gym and trying to hit the ball further, and keep doing what we've been doing.
"We haven't changed much up. Hitting the ball a bit further and being more aggressive into the greens was the key this year.
"I'm definitely hitting the ball a little longer. My club speed has come up a bit. [The length] is nothing crazy like an extra 20m or 30m, it's probably seven or eight metres, but it makes a big difference.''
The only person capable of stealing Smith's limelight should he triumph on Sunday is Wayne Bennett, especially if he is marched out the door of the Broncos and makes way for Anthony Seibold.
Smith, 25, is such a fan of his rugby league, he even made a point of asking an Australian TV reporter about the Broncos and Bennett dramas after day three of the Masters when he had just commenced his charge up the Augusta leaderboard.
"I've been travelling the last two or three weeks so it's been hard for me to keep up with the whole [coaching] situation,'' Smith said.
"We'll see what happens. The Broncs usually play Friday nights, so it's normally a Friday morning for myself. If I've got an early tee time, I will get up earlier to try and watch it. I don't get to watch it as much as I like.''
Golf Australia boss Stephen Pitt naturally would have liked more stars lining up at The Lakes, but praised Smith as one young player who would be involved in the ''passing of the baton'' and a player who enjoyed a solid season in the US.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.
