Smith struts stuff in Masters finish
A dual top-10 finish was enough to guarantee two Aussie returns to Augusta next year and after Cameron Smith’s sizzling final round it can’t come soon enough.
The 24-year-old Queenslander earned his second top-10 finish in just eight major starts with six back nine birdies and a par save on the 16th hole which showed the unflappable youngster has green jacket winning ways.
He wouldn’t say finishing tied for fifth was his career highlight, pointing to his Australian PGA breakthrough last summer, a victory in front of family and friends, as his favourite.
But, having laid the platform all week for being ultra-chilled and taking everything in his stride, a 30-shot back nine at Augusta on Masters Sunday finally moved his needle and further thrust his name up in lights.
“That was pretty exciting for me,” Smith (pictured) conceded after collecting $503,000 for his effort.
“My win down in Australia was the most satisfying for me, because I had the family there. But yeah, top 10 at the Masters is pretty cool.
“I finished fourth at the US Open (in 2015), so I have had a couple of good finishes there. But Masters is the hyped one, so to finish up there is awesome. I can’t wait to get back.” Smith didn’t shoot a single round over par in four full-on days at the most hyped Masters in years, and even outplayed world No.1 Dustin Johnson in the final round, beating his playing partner by three shots.
Marc Leishman was the other Aussie to finish inside the top 10, closing with a two-under 70 to grab a share of ninth.
Jason Day finished tied for 20th while 2013 Masters champ Adam Scott finished tied for 32nd.