Southport, England: Travis Smyth cut a contented figure as he strolled around the village of Birkdale, taking in the sights and sounds of the area that is playing host to this week’s 154th edition of The Open Championship. Story by Spencer Robinson, Asian Tour contributor.

“Birkdale village is so beautiful. You’ve got awesome little cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s got a really nice vibe to it,” said the 31-year-old Australian. “Pretty much everyone here is getting around the tournament which is really cool.”

Ahead of his second Open Championship appearance, Smyth has every reason to be at peace with himself – and confident about his prospects in the northwest of England.

On the back of topping the standings in the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, helped in a big way by victory at the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship in March, and the International Series Japan on the Asian Tour in April, Smyth’s stock has risen considerably.

So, too, has his status in the game. Since the turn of the year, he’s soared more than 200 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking to 145th. A good performance at Royal Birkdale Golf Club this week will give him the chance to progress further and improve on his career-best ranking of 134th, achieved three months ago in the immediate wake of his Japan success.

Travis Smyth pictured eagling the 18th to win the International Series Japan. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

No wonder he’s looking forward to the challenge which will begin when he tees-off in the first round at 8.47 am on Thursday in the company of American Michael Thorbjornsen and Japan’s Kota Kaneko.

It was three years ago that Smyth arrived at Royal Liverpool for his Open debut with high hopes which were effectively extinguished when he returned an opening 78.

A six-shot improvement on day two, highlighted by a hole-in-one at the 17th, lifted his mood but was not enough to enable him to survive the 36-hole axe.

This time it feels different for the man who’s currently sitting proudly atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit standings, and The International Series Rankings.

“I’ve been playing pretty well and the practice rounds here have gone smoothly. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but swing-wise and practice-wise I don’t feel like I have to go out there and find something going into the tournament.

“It’s a nice, comfortable position to be in. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but …,” said Smyth, halting himself mid-sentence, equally aware of his past Open experience, and the importance of staying in the present.

“I’m extremely excited … and I’m extremely nervous. I can’t wait for Thursday to come,” he said.

Main picture: Travis Smyth celebrates after acing the  17th at The Open in 2023. Picture by Getty Images.