Cameron Smith of Australia competes on on the first day of the LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, on April 28, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HONG KONG - Australian golf star Cameron Smith is relishing the prospect of a return to "one of the best courses in Asia" at the Hong Kong Open.

Smith, the 2014 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, comes into the storied tournament as one of the marquee names in a star-studded field that also includes LIV Golf stablemates Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, Graeme McDowell, Patrick Reed and Thomas Pieters as well as Asian Tour stars including International Series Order of Merit leader Andy Ogletree and local hero Taichi Kho, the Asian Games gold medal winner.

Smith's late-season form is sure to be a box office draw for the Fanling galleries. The world No. 20 secured two wins in the latter half of the season on the LIV Golf League in London and Bedminster, in a charge that secured runner-up spot on the podium behind Range Goats GC Gooch in the 2023 standings.

Captain Cameron Smith of Ripper GC plays an approach shot on the seventh hole during the quarterfinals of the LIV Golf Team Championship Miami at the Trump National Doral on Oct 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (PHOTO / AP)

The 2022 Open champion is eager to continue that form and believes that the unique style of the Hong Kong GC's composite course can help to bring on his game. He said: "We don't get to play too many courses like this, it is more of a strategic course and playing courses like that is something I enjoy.

"I like to be creative and a course like this allows you to be that creative player and person, and I can't wait to get out there and play the type of golf I really enjoy playing. The golf course is one of the best in Asia and everyone is excited to be here for sure."

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The 30-year-old feels the ninth stop on The International Series schedule is the perfect location to continue working on his game as he makes his way back to Australia for some well-earned rest and relaxation, and a number of tournaments Down Under.

In this file photo dated July 15, 2022, Cameron Smith, of Australia, plays from the 17th tee during the second round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. (PHOTO / AP)

Smith is glad to return to a tournament that he last played nine years ago as a promising young golfer looking to make his name. On that occasion Smith finished ninth.

"It is good to be back in a place that I feel comfortable - it is a golf course I really love and we don't get to play that style much anymore - it is a style of course I grew up with being Australian, so I can't wait to get out there," said Smith.

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"It's one of my favorite places here in Hong Kong - not only the city but the golf club as well. I have some pretty good memories here, it has been a while since I've been here so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes but I loved it last time and can't wait to get out there and compete again against these boys this week."