Cameron Smith adamant he and the LIV players can contend at next week’s Masters

The 18 LIV players heading to the Masters have a chip on their shoulder, with plenty suggesting their 54-hole events don’t provide the competition needed to contend.

Cameron Smith has bit back at the critics who believe the LIV convert doesn’t play enough “real golf” to continue his stellar record at Augusta and contend at next week’s Masters.

Adam Scott, the only Australian to win a green jacket, was equally as dismissive of suggestions Smith’s chances were hampered by his LIV move, declaring the Queenslander was “in the prime of his career”.

Smith, the reigning British Open champion, is playing just his fourth event of the year at this week’s LIV event in Orlando, another 54-hole, no-cut tournament at the Orange County National course.

It’s regarded as one of the less difficult layouts on the LIV circuit and Smith is coming off finishing in a tie for 24th at the previous event in Tuscon.

Smith, who remains the world No.5, started 2023 with a missed cut in Saudi Arabia, then finished in a tie for fifth in the opening LIV event at Mayakoba, albeit nine shots off the winner.

He returns to Augusta as the Open champion having finished tied for third in last year’s Masters, with three other top-10 finishes in the past four years, including being runner-up to Dustin Johnson in 2020.

Smith also played in the final group last year as Scottie Scheffler marched to victory.

Cameron Smith played in the final group with 2022 Masters winner Scottie Scheffler. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Ahead of the opening rounds in Orlando, the last tune-up for 18 LIV players heading to the Masters, Smith said his new tourmates wanted to “show people” they were good enough to still contend with the world’s best players.

He was adamant that the six former Masters champions at LIV were all capable of a “high standard of golf” and their presence would be felt at Augusta.

“Obviously first and foremost for me, I’m trying to go there and play the best golf I can,“ Smith said after playing in the pro-am

“(But) I think it is important for us to go there, really show a high standard of golf which we know we’re all capable of.

“Most of us will get four cracks at it this year (in the major championships), and hopefully we get maybe a win out of it. Maybe we just show a really hearty effort.

Cameron Smith says he can still contend in the majors. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP

“There’s a lot of chatter going around about ‘these guys don’t play real golf anymore’. And I think it’s BS to be honest. And we just want to show people that.”

Smith is one of five Australians playing this year’s Masters a decade on from Scott’s famous victory, and the 2013 winner saw no reason why his countryman couldn’t be in the finish.

“He’s in the prime of his career at the moment … his confidence has to be high,” Scott said on Friday.

“He’s the reigning Open champion, coming off the year he had last year, even with, if you want to call it limited preparation, it takes a lot more than that for the confidence to fade.

“If he gets any sort of good feeling next week, then absolutely (he can win). And he has played great there the last few years.

“He’s got a great short game, it’s so helpful there. When you can pitch and putt like Cam Smith you are never out of it.”

Smith spoke of that good feeling he had returning to Augusta, declaring some of the best golf he has ever played has been at the Masters. .

That’s enough to leave the Queenslander confident that he can contend again.

“I feel like I’ve played my best golf I’ve ever played around there,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve got a pretty good record around there.”