2016 MASTERS: Cam Smith’s Augusta learning curve

BY STEVE KEIPERT AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL

CAM Smith exudes a cool composure that belies his 22 years, so it’s no surprise to learn he’s gone about his Masters preparation the smart way.

On debut at the season’s first major, Smith and his caddie Sam Pinfold journeyed to Augusta National after the Valspar Championship a month ago for two days of reconnaissance work. Smith played twice with the benefit of the same caddie Adam Scott used when he first played the course in 2002, taking six hours on a near-vacant course to complete his first round after firing to different pins then chipping around and putting on each of the treacherous greens. For the second day, he played ‘proper golf’ and shot an even-par 72.

Debutant Cam Smith is spending his practice rounds gathering all the information about Augusta he can collect. PHOTO: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

The Queenslander – there are four of them in the Masters field – earned his way to Augusta last June with his phenomenal tie for fourth place at the US Open at Chambers Bay, so this is a week that’s been ten months in the making.

“I’m pretty excited,” Smith said. “I want Thursday to come around quick, but I also know I have to take my time and enjoy the experience.”

Smith says he’s adjusted to the faster green speeds compared to his initial foray a month ago and the sheer volume of people now filling the grounds plus the different vibe around the clubhouse. He admits he should try to look at it as just another tournament, yet he’s not satisfied with merely a good finish; he’s here to win. After a stretch of solid but fruitless play, Smith says he’s “found something” in his game over the past few days and expects to contend.

“Absolutely. You come here to win, not to finish second or just make a cut,” said Smith, who shared 19th place at the Shell Houston Open last weekend after a closing 69.

In the spirit of taking his first Masters in his stride, Smith will have his father Des as caddie for the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday afternoon when he’ll play beside Jason Day and the Day family. Smith has also attempted to replicate Tiger Woods’ famous backwards-curling chip shot at the par-3 16th hole. Learning the golf course, though, has been at the forefront of his preparations.

“It looks so enclosed and flat on TV but is really hilly and open. My game’s felt really solid all year but all the parts haven’t combined to put four good scores in.”

After his US Open heroics, don’t count out a second top-notch major showing from this quiet achiever.

SEEN & HEARD

* THE emergence of Tiger Woods introduced the term ‘Tiger-proofing’ around Augusta National and its lengthened layout early last decade. Today Jason Day coined a new phrase – ‘Spieth-proofing’ – when he referenced the speed of the greens. “They’re tremendously quick,” Day said, continuing a theme he’s raised already this week that the golf course might be firmer and faster by Thursday to combat low scores like Jordan Spieth’s winning tally a year ago.

Jason Day skips a shot across the water on the 16th hole during a practice round.
PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

* THE united heads of the Masters, US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship jointly announced today that the male and female gold medal winners at the upcoming Rio Olympics will gain exemptions into the fields of all the majors the next season. While the Olympics are held every four years, these exemptions will be good for just one.

* MONDAY at Augusta was projected as the warmest day of the week and by mid-afternoon the mercury neared 30 degrees Celsius. Clearly feeling the heat was a heavily pregnant patron resting against a pine tree right of the 9th fairway. When a passer-by asked if she was feeling OK, she responded with, “Yes, thanks. I just needed a rest before walking up that hill.”

* TUESDAY is Henrik Stenson’s 40th birthday. The Swede with the sharp wit managed to dodge any questions about his milestone but not one pertaining to the lack of a European Masters winner this century. “Thank you for that vote of confidence,” he laughed before turning the tables on the questioner. “Well, we’ll make it happen this year then. But no, I think your guess might almost be as good of mine, which says a lot.”

* GALLERY favourite and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples reluctantly withdrew today as he struggles with an ongoing back complaint. His omission from the starting sheet brings the field total down to 89, the smallest number since 1998.