Smith, who claimed his first major when he won the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews, has reached a career high second in the world and finished last year at third in the rankings.

The Brisbane-born 30-year-old is returning to the Hong Kong Open for the second time, having finished T9th at Fanling in his sole Asian Tour season in 2014.

“I’m excited to be returning to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Open. I really enjoyed my time in the city and playing the course as a young pro, and I look forward to coming back now to take care of some unfinished business,” he said.

Australians, of course, have a unique rich history at the Hong Kong Open – an event that dates back to 1959 – with compatriots that have conquered Fanling including legends Peter Thomson (1960, 1965, 1967), Greg Norman (1979, 1983), and Kel Nagle (1961).

Scott Hend, the man tied third for the most Asian Tour wins of all time with 10 victories, has also won here in 2014, the year Smith finished T9, as well as Sam Brazel in 2016. Defending champion Wade Ormsby, meanwhile, lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2020.

There is no doubt that Smith knows that history – and wants a slice of it himself. The 2022 Open Championship winner has been in red-hot form across the LIV Golf season so far with two individual titles. There has also been a fourth-placed finish at this year’s US Open as he has grown his game globally, much like the International Series itself.

Coming off the course after his most recent win – at the LIV Golf-Bedminster – Smith confirmed what the result revealed. “I feel like I‘m playing the most consistent golf and the best golf that I’ve played.”

Tickets for the Hong Kong Open 2023 are now available via Ticketflap at www.ticketflap.com/hongkongopen2023. Admission on Thursday and Friday, 9-10 November is free while daily prices for Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November are $200 per day or $300 for a weekend pass.