The Masters ultimate guide: ‘Outrageous’ sign 26-1 Aussie smokey can win

Golf’s most prestigious major is here and while Cameron Smith returns, there’s another Aussie who’s a red-hot chance of winning.

The most famous golf tournament of the year is upon us.

The Masters gets underway late on Thursday night and several Aussies are in with a genuine chance of winning the famous green jacket.

Cameron Smith won the most recent major at The Open at St Andrews last year to claim his maiden major title.

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A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, with Smith making the leap to join the Saudi-backed rebel LIV Tour, which is fronted by Greg Norman.

Smith is one of 18 LIV players competing at The Masters this year and despite a relatively limited preparation, he is considered a red-hot chance to win.

The Queenslander loves playing at Augusta National, where he has finished in the top 10 four times out of six starts and Fox Sports golf expert Paul Gow believes Smith is a “big chance” to win.

“I watched Cam Smith have a practice round and he was hitting some exceptional iron shots, putting from the right areas and driving really well too,” Gow told news.com.au.

“He’s been in a really strong fitness regime. He hasn’t had any alcohol in quite some time.

“He’s been getting ready for this event and priming himself. The preparation side has been exceptional. He’s striking the ball beautifully. He’s ready to go.

Cameron Smith is a serious contender at The Masters. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“He’s got a short game that’s exceptional — it’s Seve Ballesteros-like or better. Playing here it’s a must. I tell you what, he is a big chance this week.”

As for the other Australians, Adam Scott will be hoping for a fairytale win 10 years after he became the first and only Aussie to win the Masters.

Other Aussie who can win

But the smokey could be Jason Day, who has overhauled his swing and put chronic back issues behind him to hit a rich vein of form and climb back up to World No. 35.

“Some of the shots he hit (in his practice round) were outrageous,” Gow said.

“He changed his golf swing under his new coach. He’s made it a lot tighter. It’s not as violent as it was when it put a lot of pressure on his back. His back feels a lot better, he’s mentally a lot better.

“It was the best I’ve seen him with his iron play. It was really tight. It wasn’t as loose or later with his golf swing. There’s no reason why he can’t play well.

“He’s had a second here, he’s had a fourth here. He thinks he can win. As we know, if you putt well, you can probably win a Masters.”

Jason Day has arrived at August in great form. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

World No. 1 chasing history, contender who can ‘win by five’

Defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is aiming to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as just the fourth player to go back-to-back at Augusta.

He’s the odds-on favourite alongside Rory McIlroy, who is desperate to win his first major since 2014.

“I think this is McIlroy’s year. I think he wins by five shots,” Gow said.

“In my eyes, McIlroy is the best player I’ve seen other than Tiger Woods. In recent times, he’s the best. If he plays to his level, he wins by five. My money’s going to be on McIlroy.

LIV shadow looms large over Masters

The Masters will be the first major where PGA and LIV players will reunite and play in the same field.

Smith, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are the most likely of the LIV defectors to win, while others like Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson are past their prime.

LIV players who have won a major have been granted a five-year grace period that will allow them to compete in all four majors.

But the organisers of The Masters, US Open, PGA Championship and The Open are convening in Augusta this week to decide discuss whether LIV players will be awarded world ranking points.

If they aren’t, there could be a world in several years where Smith can’t play majors if he falls outside the top 50.

“The big discussion we have with LIV is the world rankings,” Gow explained.

Rory McIlroy is one of the favourites. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP

“Will they get world ranking points? If they don’t, Cam Smith is currently fifth in the world. “He could move to World No. 50 in no time because he won’t get any world ranking points other than playing in the majors.

“He’s got five years up his sleeve as a major winner. But not all have that luxury. It will all go on world ranking points.”

The first clash of PGA-LIV players was highly anticipated, but Smith said he has been welcomed back with open arms and there’s no tension between the two playing groups.

“All the hype over if it’s a PGA or LIV play is overshadowed by the person who wins the green jacket because that goes forever,” Gow said.

“No matter how long these tours last, you get to put the green jacket in your locker. It’s a big chance one of those guys will.”

When does The Masters start?

The Masters starts late on Thursday night Australian time and will conclude on Monday morning, when a champion will be crowned around 9-10am (AEST), weather permitting.

How to watch The Masters

The 2023 Masters is broadcast on Fox Sports Channel 503 and Kayo Sports, where you can watch more than 120 hours of coverage.

Australians playing at The Masters

Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Harrison Crowe.

Thursday night/Friday morning Round 1 tee times (AEST)

11pm — Min Woo Lee, Harrison Crowe

12:30am — Adam Scott

12:54am — Cameron Smith

Betting odds (Sportsbet)

$8 — Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler

$10 Jon Rahm

$17 — Jordan Spieth

$19 — Cameron Smith

$21 — Patrick Cantlay

$23 — Justin Thomas

$26 — Collin Morikawa, Jason Day, Tony Finau

Originally published as The Masters ultimate guide: ‘Outrageous’ sign 26-1 Aussie smokey can win