The Masters 2019: Cameron Smith unfazed after being grouped with Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler

James Pavey

The Masters 2019: Cameron Smith unfazed after being grouped with Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler image

Cameron Smith is already under pressure after being grouped with Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler for the opening round at Augusta National.

Not that the Brisbane-born 25-year-old would feel the pressure.

Smith set tongues wagging at the Masters 12 months ago when he finished in a tie for fifth in just his seventh major appearance, and second at Augusta.

In 2016, a 22-year-old Smith had his first taste of the chase for the green jacket, having earned an invitation following a remarkable breakthrough at the previous year's US Open.

At Chambers Bay in 2015, Smith wowed in a tie for fourth with Adam Scott and Branden Grace. Jordan Spieth won his second major of the year, with Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen just behind.

So there it was for Smith - in the top 10 of a major tournament, behind five players who are now all major winners.

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His maiden foray at Augusta National in 2016 had its ups and downs as he tied for 55th. Thankfully, Spieth's final-day meltdown proved to Smith that everyone is still human.

Now a two-time defending Australian PGA champion, Smith was unfazed by his mega-name grouping partners, who will also set off behind 14-time major champion Tiger Woods on Thursday.

After having a taste of the big time so young back at Chambers Bay in 2015, Smith is all about pushing his rivals, regardless of name.

"I can’t wait, I think it will be really fun. Especially playing behind Tiger as well," Smith said.

"There will be plenty of people out there and I’m just going to treat it like anything else and try and get it done.

“I definitely won’t shy away from it. I’ve been there enough times to know what it feels like at the top of the leaderboard."

Cameron Smith

Smith played The Masters' par-3 contest with mate Marc Leishman, who has also formed an affinity with Augusta National. The Aussies finished behind winner Matt Wallace, who took down Sandy Lyle in a playoff.

While Leishman is feeling more and more ready to get the major monkey off his back, Smith remains calm - but Aussie golf legend Ian Baker-Finch was excited that despite the small field of four Aussies, each has a "good chance" to stuff the green jacket into their suitcase as they leave Augusta.

“We’ve got a good chance this year, we only have four players, but all four are a chance for however their style of play," Baker-Finch told Golf Australia

"Adam Scott, Jason Day and Marc Leishman are big hitters and can take advantage of that. Cam Smith is as good as anyone in the world inside 150 yards, and never misses a fairway.

"I think we’ve got a good chance and I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of them are there Sunday afternoon."

CAMERON SMITH: MASTERS RECORD

YEAR FINISH SCORE
2016 T55 +15
2018 T5 -9

James Pavey

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