Cameron Smith hit by food poisoning just days before the Masters

Cameron Smith’s preparations for this week’s Masters have suffered an untimely setback.

Cameron Smith’s Masters preparations have suffered a blow after he was forced to withdraw from the LIV Golf Miami event through illness.

Having shot an opening round 75, in Miami, Smith pulled out before the second round on Sunday morning (AEST) due to food poisoning, and was replaced in Team Ripper by New Zealand’s Ben Campbell.

Smith reportedly started to feel ill last week and missed the pro-am.

Cameron Smith withdrew from the LIV Golf event in Miami due to illness. Picture: Megan Briggs/Getty Images

He was still able to tee in the first round at Trump National Doral course, but was struggling during a three-over effort that included four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey.

Despite his Miami withdrawal, Smith is reportedly expected to recover sufficiently to play in this week’s Masters at Augusta.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who won the Masters in 2017, leads after two rounds in Miami by two shots from Talor Gooch.

Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm is two shots further back at five-under.

Originally published as Cameron Smith hit by food poisoning just days before the Masters