It’s just shy of two years ago that there was a lone figure almost glued to the ropes, straining to see Cam Smith’s every move during his Australian Open practice round at Victoria.
That eager fan, then 19, was Declan O’Donovan.
Today, that same young man strode inside the ropes with Smith – and his LIV golf lieutenant Lucas Herbert – at Murray Downs in the opening round of the Ford New South Wales Open.
The reigning NSW Amateur champion had dreamt of this moment for a long time but understandably had been beside himself since he learnt of his position in the marquee group.
Not only that, but he was announced on the (opening) 10th tee before his illustrious peers as hundreds of eager fans braved the early-morning chill to take in the moment that a (British) Open champion played competitively on this Murray masterpiece.
As it turned out, that would be the second last time the Sydneysider would have “the honour” of hitting off first in the group.
O’Donovan flared his opening drive, then found the front bunker with his approach.
But in a great sign of both his skill and temperament, the Avondale ace almost holed his trap shot and walked to the second tee level with his partners at even par.
Again he pegged up first and this time his tee shot to the par-3 11th came up shy of the green. His first putt was limp, but his second from 10 feet was a cracker that saved par and any blushes after his attempt from the fringe.
Herbert, meanwhile, had rammed in his birdie putt, meaning that O’Donovan was bumped down the pecking order on the next tee.
From that point on, Herbert and Smith combined for no fewer than 16 birdies, meaning it was very hard for O’Donovan to barge back in.
As the LIV golf champions roared ahead, O’Donovan’s desperation to keep pace mounted and his putter was the predictable weak link that eventually cracked.
The newly minted NSW male amateur of the year finally signed for a five-over-par 76, a long way adrift of Smith’s course-record 64 and Herbert’s swashbuckling 65.
But while he was clearly annoyed by the end-of-round maths, O’Donovan carried himself with great grace and did – almost – everything else he’d hoped for.
“It was lovely to watch, they both played very nice golf and did nothing wrong,” O’Donovan said during a chat that showed his maturity.
“It gave me a pretty good indication of the level of golf you need to play to be as good as those guys – I think I can play the golf they did, but I just didn’t have it today.
“I’m beating myself up a little bit right now and I’m a bit frustrated, but as a positive, I was actually not as nervous as I thought I’d be.
“I actually felt very comfortable out there today and that’s the biggest thing I think I’ll take away.
“I’m playing with two of the best players in the world with more people than I’ve ever had watching me before and I actually felt really comfortable, which is nice, but it always sucks when you don’t play how you’d like to.”
O’Donovan admitted it had been an amazing transformation from seeing these famous golfers as somewhat “imaginary” playing around the world to suddenly having them under his nose.
The learning curve, he said, was steep. But both Team Ripper stars were full of praise for his poise on what they knew was a massive day for the youngster.
“I thought he did pretty well,” Smith said.
“He was obviously nervous, but that’s to be expected. He didn’t make a putt all day, but he handled himself really well and … we all have to go through that at some stage.”
Herbert echoed the sentiment: “I remember playing with Rob Allenby and Jarrod Lyle at the (Australian) Masters when I was a kid and I was (soiling) myself.
“He’s obviously not thrilled with his score, but he was impressive.”
O’Donovan eventually made his first and only birdie for the day on the first hole (his 10th), but in the interim had watched his groupmates roll them in from all angles.
“I saw how good they are from 10-15 feet, which was very nice to watch, quite satisfying seeing what I usually see on TV but having it right in front of me,” said O’Donovan, already renowned for his work ethic.
“I’m going on to the range after this, hit some balls and do a bit of thinking, do a bit of learning.”
He paused for quite a while when asked of the lessons he’d already taken away – and then came a series of phrases that would warm the hearts of those who have high hopes for his future.
“I definitely belong right beside Cam and Lucas. I’ve always thought that, but now that’s a good indication.
It’s actually very comforting that they’re not imaginary, that they’re hitting balls just like me.
“I think they’re superstars because of their golf, but they’re just normal people to play with – I had some laughs with them and some great little chats.
“I would have liked to tee off before them a few times so that I could walk off (the tee) with them,” he joked.
“But I didn’t get the honour back once and didn’t get the chance to get up there!
“It was definitely an incredible experience – I’ll look back on it fondly, I’m sure.
“But it’s quite funny when crowds are walking straight in front of me and that’s obviously because they’re here for Cam, not for me.
“It will be nice in a couple of years when they are here for me.”
The best thing about O’Donovan’s draw is that he’ll get the chance to do it all again in tomorrow’s second round.
“What I did today is a big dream achieved … but I’m looking forward to playing with them again tomorrow and feeling a part of it.”
