Playing somewhat off-Broadway in the group behind Rory McIIroy, former world No.2 Cameron Smith enjoyed a welcome change of fortune on day one of the Australian Open.

The Queenslander has yet to make a halfway cut in any of the seven tournaments he has contested this year outside LIV Golf, including all four majors and last week's Australian PGA at Royal Queensland.

But he is well placed to play a significant role in the weekend action at Royal Melbourne after signing for a one-under 70 in challenging conditions on Thursday.

Even bogeys on two of his final three holes couldn't dampen Smith's mood.

"I fixed a bit of tempo stuff up with my putting," said the 32-year-old.

"That's been really good, particularly with the shorter stuff.

"So I feel like I did pretty good today.

"I feel like I played pretty solid, made all the putts I was supposed to make and I probably left a couple out there, but it is what it is (with the wind) blowing 50Ks an hour."

PLUS...

Periscopes up! A morning with the masses and the marquee group

Matt Cleary was out early among the teeming masses at Royal Melbourne, straining on tippy-toes to see the great one, Rory McIlroy, take on the course he rated top 10 in the world but not the best course in Melbourne. And despite McIlroy's card looking like an 18-marker's in a par-comp, the appreciative galleries took Cleary back to simpler times...

Smith was in a marquee group including early pacesetter Elvis Smylie (65) and England's former Masters champion Danny Willett (79).

But they were still clearly playing second fiddle to the threesome immediately in front of them - headline act McIlroy, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee.

The strong winds and slick greens made for a serious challenge - one that Smith relished.

PLUS...

Cleary: The Master cometh, but the Aussie to beat him is...

It is a fraught pursuit, golf tipping; the fields are the size of six Melbourne Cups, “exposed form” is fractious, and conditions can be diametrically different for morning and afternoon players. This hasn't stopped Deputy Editor Matt Cleary from ponying up (and no doubt mocking to death) his tip to beat the Master, Rory McIlroy, in this 2025 Australian Open.

"They did a good job of setting up the golf course," he said.

"Considering what we had today, they could have gone maybe a little bit too far (but) I think it was good.

"It was definitely firm, a touch slower today, but it had to be, and I'm sure over the weekend they'll spice things up a little bit."