After local player Matthew Jordan enjoyed the "amazing honour" of hitting the opening tee shot of the 151st Open, Lucas Herbert kicked off the Australian challenge in fine fashion in the most benign conditions of the week at Hoylake after a wet and windy few days.
But all eyes were on Queenslander Smith, as he was introduced at the first tee as the defending champion to a warm reception from a full-house surrounding the hole and the odd cheer of 'C'mon Aussie'.
He didn't let them down with a drive straight down the middle, an approach from 160 yards to 12 foot, and a putt that never looked as if it was going anywhere but the centre of the hole.
The champion from St Andrews then missed the fairway at the second but found the green expertly after playing out of waist-high rough and just lipped out with his putt.
Herbert, the first Australian to go out at just before 7am (4pm AEST), was enjoying a fine opening round and was joint-leader amongst the early swing, after a 28-foot putt brought him an eagle at the 15th and shot him to three under, alongside the surprise South African amateur Christo Lamprecht.
The Bendigo player set the tone by starting with a lovely bunker shot at the first that extricated him from a spot of bother as he parred the hole, but a couple of birdies just before the turn at eight and nine really kick-started his round.
Queenslander Smith has pronounced himself confident of his chances, saying he's a better golfer than when he lifted the title at St Andrews last year as he seeks to become the first Australian back-to-back winner since the great Peter Thomson, who was the last man to win three in a row between 1954 and 1956.
The 27-year-old Jordan, who's been a member at Royal Liverpool since he was seven and came through qualifying to earn a place in the 156-man field, also enjoyed a fine start after launching the tournament.
Jordan made par at the first with a 14-foot putt, and then also took advantage of the early conditions as he moved to two under with one to play.
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