Cameron Smith's long-time coach believes his star pupil is on the path to major championship success after the young Australian's breakthrough US PGA Tour victory at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
Grant Field, who has taught Smith since the age of 11, watched from his Queensland home as the 23-year-old combined with Swede Jonas Blixt to capture the teams event on the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off.
The pair finished tied with American duo Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown at 27-under-par on Sunday, but darkness forced the quartet to return on Monday to decide a winner.
After three holes without a result, Smith stepped up on the par-5 18th and pitched his third shot to within three feet, sinking the birdie putt for his first title and Blixt's third.
Field believes Smith, who tied for fourth on his major debut at the 2015 US Open, can take the next step and win one of golf's four big dances.
"Cam has got all the tools to take his game to that level," Field told AAP.
"His game sets up for the majors because he's so consistent. His swing is simple and repeatable, he's a great driver of the ball and he's world class from 100 metres and in."
Smith joined Jason Day and Adam Scott as the only Australians during the past 30 years to win a US PGA Tour event before turning 24.
He is now confident of following in their footsteps further by winning a major title.
"It's a huge confidence boost and it was a relief to deliver that birdie under pressure," Smith told AAP.
"I've got a lot of belief in my game and that allows me to focus in the big moments.
"I'm really to see what I can do at the British Open and PGA Championship."
Florida-based Smith is exempt on Tour until the end of 2019 and will receive starts in the Players Championship and US PGA Championship, as well as a likely berth in September's lucrative FedEx Cup finals series.
Finishing second to Jordan Spieth at last year's Australian Open secured his British Open start, but Smith's projected rise to world No.60 means he has work left to qualify for next month's US Open.
He is also eyeing a spot on captain Nick Price's Internationals team for the Presidents Cup in New Jersey in September.
"It was a goal of mine at the start of the year to play the Presidents Cup.
"Hopefully I've showed enough this week and will continue to play well to get on the team," said Smith.
Smith, who finished tied sixth at last week's Valero Texas Open, was given a glowing endorsement by his teammate.
"I feel like I had the best partner here - he's been playing great all week and he's going to be a superstar one day," Blixt enthused.
Veteran Cameron Percy was next best of the Australians, finishing tied 11th with American teammate Grayson Murray at 18-under while Sydney native Matt Jones was two back sharing 22nd.
Victorian teenager Ryan Ruffels, who led after the first round, dropped to 14-under and a share of 29th with American partner Kyle Stanley.
Another shot back tied 32nd were Geoff Ogilvy and Ian Poulter.