US Masters: Cameron Smith is the most likely of five Aussies to win the Masters starting on Thursday

Jason Day is back to something like his best, Adam Scott is ready to go too, but Cameron Smith looms as the best Aussie chance to win the US Masters.

Aussie trio Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Adam Scott all played a practice round together on Tuesday at Augusta. Picture: Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP

It won’t be big bombing drives but precision around the Augusta greens that determines the Masters winner this week, and in that space Australia’s Cameron Smith is a star.

The Queenslander is the best of three “real live chances” according to former tour pro Paul Gow, who saw Smith’s expertise close up when he finished tied for fifth at Augusta in 2018.

Jason Day is also back playing with the right physical and mental condition that helped him ascend to world number one, and a closing round 68 at last week’s Houston Open was a sign 2013 Masters champ Adam Scott is ready.

The trio are part of a five-man Aussie assault on Augusta, with Marc Leishman and amateur Lucas Michel, where all the pre-tournament talk has been around US Open champ Bryson DeChambeau hitting the ball further off the tee than anyone before.

But Gow said mastering Augusta wouldn’t come down to a driving contest, which meant the Aussies, most of whom have good Masters memories, were well and truly in contention.

“As the great Jack Nicklaus said, this is a second shot golf course. It is about getting your ball in the right spot on the green,” Gow, who will be part of the Fox Sports Masters coverage, said.

“And Cameron Smith’s chipping and pitching around these greens, and I’ve watched it up close the year he finished tied for fifth, he worked it out. This will be his fourth appearance and he knows how to play the golf course.

“I like his progression, that’s why I pick him as the best Aussie this week.”

Smith, who broke through for his first PGA Tour win in January, hasn’t played for two weeks, but that’s a positive.

“He’s going to come back fresh and still with a lot of confidence in his head,” Gow said.

“When you are playing at that level it’s a massive game of confidence, and he is going in with good thoughts.”

Day, who was suffering neck issues last month, has reported himself as feeling good.

“I‘ve always had a bit of a problem trying to stay healthy, and fortunately this week I feel really nice,” day said after a Tuesday practice round.

“Out there on the golf course today working and was out there for five, five and a half hours, which was nice. I‘m coming in this week feeling a lot of confidence going from last week.

Gow said all the signs through Day’s increased workload were also positive.

 

Aussie Jason Day will play the Masters with his body and game in good condition Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP

“He’s a pure confidence guy. He has played a lot more golf coming in over the last month than he’s ever played before the Masters, which excites me,” Gow said.

“The other thing is the greens will be quick, and he is one of the best putters on quick greens you will ever see.”

Scott is readying himself for a wet week, while Leishman hasn’t truly captured his best in recent events.

But both have fond memories of Augusta, Scott a winner and Leishman twice finishing in the top 10, which could be a factor this week.

“When you come back to a place you have played well, you want to be there, something else comes over you and you play well,” Gow said.

“I think we have three super live chances.”

THE MASTERS

Augusta National golf club, Georgia

November 13-16

Defending champion: Tiger Woods

FOX SPORTS 503 has been running a dedicated 24 hour channel since Monday

Tournament coverage

Friday, November 13 Round 1 live from 5.00am – 9.30am

Saturday, November 14 Round 2 live from 5.00am – 9.30am

Sunday, November 15 Round 3 LIVE from 5.00am – 9.00am

Monday, November 16: Final Round LIVE from 2.00am – 7.00am

THE AUSSIES (world ranking)

Adam Scott (15)

Marc Leishman (26)

Jason Day (43)

Cameron Smith (45)

Lukas Michel (am)

THE BETTING

$9 Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson

$11 Jon Rahm

$12 Justin Thomas

$14 Rory McIlroy

$15 Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele

$31 Jason Day

$34 Tiger Woods

$51 Adam Scott, Cameron Smith

$126 Marc Leishman

$1001 Lukas Michel

ODDS: TAB

Originally published as US Masters: Cameron Smith is the most likely of five Aussies to win the Masters starting on Thursday