Cameron Smith admits his loss to superstar Jordan Spieth in a sudden-death playoff at the 2016 Australian Open still haunts him.
But it will be the US PGA Tour star's inspiration to lift the coveted Stonehaven Cup this week after a series of crushing close calls.
Preparing up for the Open at The Lakes starting on Thursday, Queenslander Smith recalled his feelings after Spieth birdied the first playoff hole at Royal Sydney to win his second Open crown.
"Yeah, the one at Royal Sydney was pretty heartbreaking to miss," Smith said.
"It's been basically on my mind ever since."
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The 25-year-old Smith also finished fourth at last year's Open behind winner Cameron Davis, one week before winning the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
"We've had a pretty good crack (at the Open) last year," Smith said.
"My preparation leading up to the (Open) the past couple years probably hasn't been the greatest.
"But my focus the last couple weeks has been thinking about lifting the (trophy).
"It's been a good preparation (at his Florida base of TPC Sawgrass)."
Smith, whose solid 2018 season on the PGA Tour included a tie for fifth at the Masters in April, yearns to etch his name on the Stonehaven Cup alongside former champions Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Greg Norman.
"Yeah, it would be pretty cool," he said.
"I rank this tournament and every tournament in Australia pretty highly; I always love coming home to (play in) Australia."
At world No.33, Smith is the highest-ranked Australian in the field.
