Aussie golf star Cameron Smith - who proudly rocks the best mullet in world sport -  is $5million richer after winning The Players Championship in Florida.

His career-defining triumph sees the 28-year-old from Brisbane join a number of  greats on the honour roll. 

Smith now stands alongside fellow Australians Steve Elkington (1991 and 1997), Greg Norman (1994), Adam Scott (2004) and Jason Day (2016) as previous winners.

Other champions include major-winning legends Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson.

But the laid-back Australian almost blew his chances after finding the water on the 18th hole.

It gave India's Anirban Lahiri the chance to force a dramatic play-off, but when he was unable to finish with a birdie, Smith emerged victorious by one stroke with a six-under 66.

Smith's fearless approach at the notorious 17th hole was epic, finding the green with a pinpoint drive which sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Speaking soon after hoisting the famous trophy, Smith acknowledged he rode his luck at times on the final day.   

'It's huge. It's going to take a while to sink in, I think,' he said.

'It's cool being here in Jacksonville - I live here now, I call this place home. I had a lot of fans out there rooting for me today.' 

Smith also choked back tears as he celebrated the victory in front of his mum and sister, who he hadn't seen in person for two years due to Covid travel restrictions.

'It's really cool to have them here,' he added.

'My main priority was just to hang out with them for these few weeks and golf was second. It's nice to see them and nice to get a win for them.'

A noted larrikin, Smith believes his easygoing nature is the key to his lightning-fast rise in the sport.

He also lists beer and meat pies as a 'crucial' aspect of his diet. 

'I actually don't remember a lot of the shots that I hit. I think that's actually one of my greatest assets, is just forgetting,' he told reporters earlier this year.

'I think I just need to keep doing what I'm doing.'

His trademark mullet came about following a drinking session with friends during the pandemic, with a series of bets and dares resulting in the clippers coming out.

'We all just thought it was funny and I've just kind of rolled with it,' Smith said of his eye-catching haircut.

'I'd rather people talk about my golf game than my hair but I guess it is what it is.'