Door opens for Smith at Augusta National
Cameron Smith in action on a cold and windy Saturday – photo Chris Trotman Augusta National
It might be that he needs to get past the hottest player on the planet in tomorrow’s final round of the 2022 Masters, but Cameron Smith’s stunning third round of 68 (two shots better than any other player was able to produce) has opened the door for a second Masters title for Australia.
Smith began the day six shots adrift of Scottie Scheffler and was still six behind through 10 holes but with the leader recording four bogeys and two birdies over this closing seven holes and Smith playing the last six in 2 under, the margin closed to just three shots and after appearing a one horse race through 45 holes, it has become very much a case of ‘game on’ come Sunday.
Scheffler birdied the 17th to re-establish a four-shot lead but a wild drive at the last could well have led to more than the brilliant bogey he was able to scramble.
Scheffler’s drive was declared unplayable and still some 240 yards from the hole but from alongside the trees and in the pine straw, he produced a remarkable 3 iron shot which finished just over the back of the green. He two putted from there to saved a very important bogey and the margin he holds is three.
Smith’s only blemishes came when he pitched too long at the 3rd and could not get up and down and when, despite a superb bunker shot at the par 3 16th, he missed a par saving putt from five feet.
There were, however, six birdies for the Queenslander on a day where only nine players would break par and only Smith’s round of 68 was in the 60’s.
“It was really tough out there today,” said Smith. “I think I did a good job of just staying within myself, staying patient with the course. Yeah, just hitting — again, hitting lots of quality iron shots. Today the putts went in as well.”
When asked where he think he might be able to apply pressure tomorrow, Smith responded.
“I think the front nine out here, it can get away from you pretty quick. I think you have to stay really patient through the front. There is a couple of birdie opportunities, but I think the back nine tomorrow is obviously where the tournament will be decided.
“Typically, there’s plenty of pins in bowls, and, yeah, you can give yourself plenty of looks if you’re hitting it good.”
When asked how his recent win in the PGA Tour’s flagship event, The Players Championship might help his mindset tomorrow Smith added; ” It just means I can get it done I guess when I’m up against the best guys in the world. It’s a good feeling to have. It’s earned. It’s not given to you.
“So I’m going to have to go out there tomorrow and play really good golf again, probably similar to today. Hopefully everything just falls into place. I can’t control what anyone else is going to do tomorrow. So yeah, just go out there and really focus on myself.”
Scheffler was brilliant, especially through his opening nine of 33 but his first blemish came at the dangerous 12th when he did well to save bogey after finding the front bunker and then overplaying his recovery. Then came bogeys at the 14th and 15th after a beautiful pitch had led to a birdie at the 13th.
A magnificent wedge to three feet led to one last birdie at the `17th before the near disaster at the last but he remained calm through what might have been a tournament changing ordeal.
“Fortunately they found the ball,” said Scheffler. “And then all I was trying to do was figure out how I was going to get it on the green for my third shot. And fortunately I was able to take an unplayable out of the bush and still have a swing.
“I think I could have gone in there and played it if I had to, but getting out of the bush and trying to make my five from there with a drop and guarantee me being out of the bush was huge, and I hit a really good shot and had a nice up-and-down.”
He paid respect to his playing partner for tomorrow and indicated how much he was looking forward to the battle.
“It should be a great fight tomorrow. Obviously Cam is a tremendous player, and he’s got a fantastic short game, and he’s coming off a huge win at THE PLAYERS. Both of us are in good form, so I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge of playing with him tomorrow.
“Little bit of different conditions on the golf course. I’m sure they will keep the green nice and firm, but the wind will be a little lighter. I’m not sure how much lighter it will be, but I think we are both looking forward to the test and the challenge.
“Playing in the final group is always so much fun, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Sungjae Im recovered from a horror front nine to produce a final nine of 32 for a round of 71 and he is five behind Scheffler and two behind Smith.
Marc Leishman is the next best of the Australians after Smith, his round of 71 to improve from 45th to a share of 18th on such a demanding day was an impressive recovery.
“It was tough, cold,” said Leishman. “The greens quickened up overnight back to, I would say, Masters speed. Yeah, happened to play good, a couple of three-putts, but putting was pretty difficult out there with the wind. I’m a lot happier today standing here than I was the last two afternoons after missing a lot of putts.”
Min Woo Lee did well in his round of 72 to be tied for 26th while Cameron Davis and Adam Scott are back in 51st and 52nd place respectively.
Typically the folk at Augusta National do not announce prizemoney until the week of the event. Today the breakdown was released.
The winner of the 2022 Masters will earn a cheque for US$2.7 million, an increase of US$700,000 in 2022, the runner-up US$1.62 million and so on.
Even 10th place will earn US$405,000 and so not only is one of the great titles of world golf up for grabs, but the largest purse in the history of this event.
