Cameron Smith was back up and about in Miami after illness forced him out of the LIV event

Illness at exactly the wrong time hit the Masters preparation which had been timed to peak this week but Cameron Smith is back on his feet.

Cameron Smith was back around his Ripper GC teammates on course in Miami on Sunday and is on track for the Masters after pulling out of the LIV event with illness.

The British Open winner only lasted the opening round, struggling to a three-over 75, before withdrawing and interrupting what had been a solid build-up to the first major of the year at Augusta.

Smith returned to the driving range before the final round of the event to say his goodbyes to his teammates as he opted to take advantage of the extra day and head to the Masters early.

He still looked less than 100 per cent and grasping as water bottle as he said he was “getting there” to the well-wishers who aren’t among the 13 LIV players who earned a spot at Augusta.

Good to see you back up and about skipper 👍#RipperGC#LIVGolfpic.twitter.com/ESaVTisA0M

— Ripper GC (@rippergc_) April 7, 2024

Having arrived at the Masters underprepared in 2023, his first full-season on the LIV tour, Smith was adamant he’d timed his run much better this year with more tournaments and the last one in Miami was supposed to be the perfect tune-up.

“Last year we only played two or three times before Augusta, this time we have five tournaments and a little bit of lead time going in to Miami,” he told NewsCorp last month.,

“We can zone in on and make those little tweaks we think we need to make. it’s definitely a better competition set-up this year and better timing.”

Smith has a stellar record at Augusta with four top-10 Masters finishes and is one of five Australians at the event including 2013 champ Adam Scott, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Cameron Davis and amateur Jasper Stubbs.

Originally published as Cameron Smith was back up and about in Miami after illness forced him out of the LIV event