Cameron Davis’ brilliant weekend secures third place at RBC Heritage


Cameron Davis – file photo

Australia’s Cameron Davis has produced a stunning weekend at the RBC Heritage Classic on Hilton Head Island to narrowly miss a second PGA Tour title.

Davis finished in a seven way share of third place just one shot behind the playoff between Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth which eventually went the way of Spieth who defeated Patrick Cantlay at the first hole of a playoff.

For the Sydney native, he recorded his 7th top ten on the PGA Tour including his breakthrough win at the Rocket Mortgage event last year.

Davis made the cut on the number on Friday and was at that point nine shots behind the 36-hole leader, Patrick Cantlay.

A third round of 4 under 67 improved him to 38th place but he was still seven shots behind the leader, Harold Varner 111, heading into the last round.

He would, though, race to the turn in 31 today and added three more birdies on the way in for a best of the day round of 63 to be tied in the lead when he finished his round more than three hours ahead of the final group.

“I played obviously pretty well today tee to green and started knocking some putts in,” said Davis. “I’ve been putting in a lot of good work over the last few weeks, and it was nice to see it turn itself into a really good score.

“I started putting some good work into play. I’d had a couple of weeks off and did a really good job. My coach was able to make it over from Australia for the first time in a while. So that work was started at Augusta. Unfortunately, it didn’t lead to awesome golf there, but it was definitely trending and kind of accumulated to today where it felt like everything was working quite well.

“I’m very pleased. I’m glad I hung on at the end there. Hit a couple of squirrely shots, but almost got that one on 18, which would have been nice. But I can’t complain.

“I love this course. I love the trees and the fairways. In Seattle, I play at Sahalee, and you get plenty of good practice having aerial obstacles in your way when you’re in the fairways.

“I just love shaping it around the trees. I love the course giving you shots and challenging you to hit the right one. Obviously the wind was pretty tricky. This kind of course in that wind gets pretty crazy. But on a day like today and yesterday where it’s all about you and how well you hit it rather than up to the luck of the draw with the wind, it was really satisfying to play a course like this and play it well.”

Davis earned US$330,000 for his share of third.

Eventually, Jordan Spieth would birdie the final hole to complete a round of 66 and take the lead and waited while a large group of players still in contention remained on the course as possible hopes for the title.

Cantlay birdied the 17th and then missed a very makeable birdie attempt at the last which would have given him the title outright but he and Jordan headed back to the 18th tee with Spieth successful after making par from the bunker.

For Spieth it was his first top ten in the event and his first win since Easter last year, interestingly enough, when successful at the Valero Texas Open.

 

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Solid weeks for Kemp and Kyriacou in Hawaii

Sarah Kemp – a solid week ahead of a return to Bonville Golf Resort in Coffs Harbour (pictured) this week

It might not have been anything too startling, but the share of 26th that both Stephanie Kyraicou and Sarah Kemp finished in at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii represents their best LPGA Tour finish of 2022, understandably for Kryiacou in particular as for her this was just her second LPGA Tour start of the year.

Kemp was playing her sixth LPGA Tour event of the year and her form especially early in the week will be a significant boost given that she has made only one cut in those starts and that when 56th in Singapore.

Kemp was alone in second place in this week’s event through 36 holes but she struggled to a 3rd round of 78 and fell back before a final round of 73 saw her share 26th place and earn a cheque for US$16,000.

Kyriacou is in her first season on the LPGA after two successful seasons on the LET where she won two events before qualifying to play the LPGA Tour via the LPGA Tour School.

The 21-year-old Sydney golfer also began the event well before consecutive rounds of 73 to finish but she will be encouraged with a solid week at this higher level.

For Kemp she will now take advantage of the earlier finish than normal to head back to Australia to play an LET Tour event in Bonville in her homes state of NSW next week.

Kyriacou is entered to play an LPGA Tour event in Los Angeles this coming week.

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Sarah Kemp’s form reversal leads to contention in Hawaii

Sarah Kemp – photo Getty Images Sean Haffley

Australian, Sarah Kemp, has made a fine start to the Lotte Championship at the Hoakalei Country Club on Oahu in Hawaii, the 36 year old adding a second round of 69 to her opening 68 to be in second place as the event heads into the final 36 holes.

Kemp is at 7 under par and three shots behind the leader and four time LPGA Tour event winner, Hyo Joo Kim.

Kemp has played the LPGA Tour in fits and starts since 2008, often struggling to retain status but 2021 was one of her better seasons and although 2022 has been a tough start to date, this is an encouraging effort ahead of a return to play an event in Australia next week.

Her early 2022 season was hampered by issues surrounding Covid, making her unable to play the WAPGA Championship staged in conjunction with the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane in January and others in Australia and she was unable to get her season underway until early February.

Her results to date in 2022 have been well below her best but this week she has found something, three hole-outs aiding her cause but clearly it has been more than that which sees her contending heading into the weekend.

“Yeah, really solid,” said Kemp. “Lots of fairways, greens. I had a chip-in. Rolled it really well. It was just steady. I hit one fairway bunker short, but, yeah, just overall really steady. I haven’t played that good all year, so it’s nice to finally get the year started.

“You know, same kind of stuff. Like I’ve been terrible at being patient I felt like. I missed the cut by one at ANA and I sort of trended slowly, very slowly in the right direction.

“But it’s been super frustrating, and it’s just nice that, yeah, I guess I remained patient and just kept doing the same thing.

I haven’t started off the year very well at all. I have slowly gotten a little bit better, but I still missed the ANA cut by one and San Diego by a few more.

“But I gradually got a little better each time. That was in the back of my mind. But, yeah, you know, overall, my life’s pretty good off the golf course, so that’s the main thing, so I’m happy with that.

“But, it was hard the first couple months. Wasn’t the start that I wanted to. I got COVID in January and I missed the first event; didn’t get to play a tournament in Australia.

Kemps’ two best performances on the LPGA Tour came in 2021 when finishing 4th and 5th in two events and while yet to win a career event on either the LPGA or LET Tours, it appears the New South Wales golfer is getting better with age.

Hannah Green and rookie Stephanie Kyriacou are the next best of the Australasians although Green will be ruing three dropped shots late in her round after being inside the top 5 beforehand. Green and Kyriacou are 19th at 2 under par.

Defending champion Lydia Ko is at even par and Su Oh at 3 over.

Queenslander, Karis Davidson, making her debut on the LPGA Tour, has missed the cut after rounds of 76 and 74 while Sarah Jane Smith was even further back.

 

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Presidents Cup returning to Melbourne in 2028


The winning American team in 2019 – article PGA Tour

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, USA, and MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – The PGA TOUR today announced a long-term commitment to staging the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with the biennial global team competition set to return to the iconic Sandbelt in 2028 and 2040. The 2028 Presidents Cup will mark the event’s fourth visit to Melbourne, matching Gainesville (Virginia, USA) for most Cups contested in one city.

The venue for the 2028 Presidents Cup will be announced at a later date. The Presidents Cup was staged at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in its three previous trips to Melbourne (1998, 2011, 2019), with the International Team defeating the U.S. Team in 1998 under the leadership of the late Peter Thomson, while the U.S. Team claimed the Cup in 2011 and 2019.

“Since the Presidents Cup was first staged in Melbourne in 1998, Australia and its passionate fanbase have played a leading role in the growth of the Presidents Cup,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“As the event continues to visit new corners of the globe, we remain committed to a presence in Melbourne and the Sandbelt region, a place our players and fans around the world hold in high regard. Our partnership with State of Victoria and Visit Victoria has been a winning combination, and we’re thrilled with the support we’ve received from Premier Andrews in securing the 2028 and 2040 dates.”

Australia was the Presidents Cup’s first international destination, and has since visited South Africa (2003), Canada (2007) and Korea (2015) in addition to twice returning to Australia.

The Presidents Cup was last played in 2019 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which saw the U.S. Team mount a thrilling comeback on the final day to claim victory over a renewed International Team in Australia. The Presidents Cup will return in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 20-25, following a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

photo – Chris Chronis Getty Images for Visit Victoria

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Cameron Smith looking ahead not back

Smith en route to his 9th place last year – photo Getty / PGA Tour

Not that finishing in a share of third at The Masters is anything to sneeze at, but Cameron Smith will no doubt be keen to overcome the disappointment of a mid-round stumble at Augusta National on Sunday and get back to his winning ways at the RBC Heritage Classic this weekend.

That he enjoys a solid record at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina may well have swayed his decision to play the event and perhaps a wish to repay the tournament for an early career invitation to the event may also have played its part in Smith being here.

Smith finished a very important 15th in one of his very first PGA Tour events and when without status on the tour at this course back in 2015 and a last round of 66 seeing him finish 9th last year highlights a golf course that offers good memories but he arrives after a couple of days rest to get over the demands of last Sunday.

“I think after last week especially being in contention the whole week gets quite mentally draining and just exhausting,” said Smith. “So, yeah, a couple days off I went back to Jacksonville, spent a day there with some buddies, my mom and my dad, and then we come up here yesterday afternoon and, yeah, took a pretty easy again.

Smith was asked how he was feeling after the near miss last week and was quick to point out that there were no real concerns.

“I don’t think I was down in the dumps. I was just frustrated. I feel as though I was one really good swing away from really contending and that’s just how golf is, especially around that golf course. I feel as though sometimes you can even hit really good golf shots and end up making bogeys and doubles around there.

“So, yeah, just a little bit frustrated. My game’s in a good spot, I’m happy with how I guess handled the situation after and yeah, I’m just really looking forward to competing again this week. That’s kind of in the rear-view mirror now.

“The last couple of months I felt really good with my game, I feel as though I’m playing the best golf of my life and I think I’m right where I need to be, just need to keep working hard and keep putting myself in good spots on Sundays.”

Smith and Cameron Davis are the only Australians in an event and on a golf course that has typically been good to Australians with Graham Marsh, Greg Norman, Peter Lonard and Aaron Baddeley, previous winners.

Davis plays the event for the second occasion having finished 25th last year after three of his four rounds in the 60’s. Davis made the cut on debut last week at The Masters last week and while his weekend rounds were disappointing he was not alone in struggling with the demands of Augusta National last week.

I fancy Dustin Johnson as a real chance to win this event for the first occasion this week. He played well at The Masters and was 4th at the Match Play and he appears to be returning to some of his best form.

Johnson has recorded 13 of his 16 rounds in the event in the 60’s.

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Scheffler claims first major with three shot victory


Scheffler and wife Meredith embrace after his historic win – photo Hunter Martin Augusta National

Scottie Scheffler has confirmed and consolidated his standing as the number one player in men’s golf with a three-shot win over Rory McIlroy at the Masters to win his fourth PGA Tour event in his last six starts and claim his first major title.

Scheffler took a three shot lead into today’s final round and although that lead was reduced to one when his nearest rival, Cameron Smith, opened with two birdies, a stunning hole out for birdie from below the green at the 3rd, re-established the cushion when Smith took bogey from a similar position.

Smith lost further ground but birdied the difficult 11th to reduce the margin to three once again but there is a fine line between pleasure and pain at Augusta National and Smith was about to experience the worst of pain when he dumped his 9 iron into the water at the 12th, pitched long after taking a drop and then took three more to get down.

“Just a really bad swing at the wrong time,” said Smith when asked the reason for the poor shot at the 12th. “It was actually a really good number. It was a really nice 9-iron. Wasn’t even trying to go near that pin, and, yeah, just a really poor swing.

“I was obviously very frustrated after the 12th hole today, but just hung in there and tried to finish off on a positive.”

The triple bogey was a stab to the heart and, all of a sudden, Smith was five behind the leader. Failing to get up and down for birdie at the par 5, 13th was another missed opportunity to regain lost ground for the Queenslander.”

Smith would drop a further shot at the 14th but to his absolute credit he hit a fine 7 wood second to the 15th and two putted for birdie then holed from 25 feet behind the hole at the 16th for another.

Scheffler, though, was making no mistakes and ahead on the golf course, it was McIlroy who was completing a final round of 64, one of the finest bunker shots of all time rounding out a finish that would see him leap into outright second place.

Scheffler birdied the 14th and 15th and when he arrived at the 18th tee he was five ahead of McIlroy who had finished 50 minutes earlier.

When the leader found the green with his second from the right hand rough, a huge winning margin appeared assured. Almost inexplicably he would four putt the last for a double bogey six and, although the winning margin was reduced to three, it flattered the chasers to a large extent and Scheffler was a comfortable winner.

He was asked whether he had allowed himself to imagine walking up the last with the lead he responded;

“Definitely throughout the round today when I built up a little bit of a lead, I didn’t want any stress towards the end of the day, and I didn’t break my concentration until we got on to the green on 18. Once we got on to the green, I was like, all right, I’m going to enjoy this, and had some fun with it.

“I really don’t know what to say. It was definitely nice to build up a lead. Nothing is safe out there on the back nine on this golf course. I’ve heard all the things that everybody says, it doesn’t start till the back nine on Sunday, anything can happen, don’t hit in the water on 12, all the stuff. You know, I just blocked most of that out and tried to execute and hit good golf shots.

“I don’t think anything has sunk in at the moment. My head is skill kind of spinning. I was so focused for so long this week. Major championship golf is brutal and especially around a golf course like this and the conditions we played it in; you can see the scores, this golf course was not playing easy this week.

“It was such a mental grind and you know winning this golf tournament, I’m so humbled to be here. I was just — I’m just glad to be a part of the field. I’m glad to be able to come out here and have a chance to compete. To be able to win this tournament, I can’t say enough about it.”

For Smith it was a disappointing finish to what at times appeared a possible first major title but he would add to his already fine record at Augusta National where he has now recorded a runner-up, a 3rd a 5th and 10th place finish in six starts.

“I feel like I’ve played some of my best golf around here,” added Smith. “It’s quite frustrating, I guess, to not walk away with a win yet, but at the same token, I look forward to the challenge of coming back here next year and trying to do it again.

“I feel like I hung in there tough a couple of days. Friday, I feel it probably could have got away from me a little bit, and then again this afternoon, so it was good, mate. My game feels really good. I feel really confident in my game. I feel really comfortable around here.

“I love this place. I’ll be back here next year and trying to put up another one.”

He might not have won today but his record speaks for itself and a Green Jacket must surely be part of his future.

Smith is likely to improve two places to 4th in the world ranking when the revised standings are released later today.

McIlroy has seldom been more excited on a golf course than he was after holing his bunker shot at the last.

“It’s what you dream about, right? You dream about getting yourself in position. I wasn’t quite close enough to the lead, I don’t think. Scottie is playing really, really well. To play as well as I did today and then to finish like this, I mean, it’s just absolutely incredible.

“This tournament never ceases to amaze. Yeah, that’s as happy as I’ve ever been on a golf course right there. Just having a chance, and then with Collin, we both played so well all day, and for both of us to finish like this, I was just so happy for him too.

“That was an incredible — I’ve never heard roars like on the 18th green. It was really cool.

“I gave it a great go, and I can’t ask any more of myself. I went out there today, shot my best ever score at Augusta, and I’m probably — it’s going to be my best finish ever. Probably not quite good enough, but I’ll come back next year and keep trying.”

Min Woo Lee was the next best of the Australians when finishing tied for 14th on debut following an even par round. It was a very impressive start to his Masters’ career and irrespective of what happens over the next twelve months he is assured of a return to the Masters in 2023 because of his top 16 finish.

“Yeah, coming into this week I wasn’t, obviously, playing that well,” said Lee. “So this place gets you on another level just because you’re in front of millions of people and you need to play good. There’s some demanding shots out here, and it makes you kind of reverse psychology and tell yourself you just have to commit to it. If you have a bad swing, you have a bad swing, but you just have to commit to every shot out here.

“I guess I didn’t feel that good with the putter, and the last couple of weeks I think I improved strokes gained on the putter a lot. So really positive vibes there. I’ll take a few weeks off now and work on a couple of things, but maybe a little celebratory drinks with the team tonight.”

Marc Leishman shared 30th, Cameron Davis 46th and Adam Scott 48th.

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Scheffler arrives at the 72nd hole – Scott Brown Augusta National

 

 

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15 year old Ratchanon Chantananuwat creates history in Thailand

Ratchanon Chantananuwat – photo Asian Tour

Article courtesy of Asian Tour.

Pattaya, Thailand, April 10: Ratchanon Chantananuwat, Thailand’s teenage golf sensation, finally achieved the impossible today when he claimed the US$750,000 Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup – becoming the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours.

The 15-year-old amateur –– fired a seven-under-par 65 to finish on 20 under and beat Korean Joohyung Kim by two shots at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course.

Kim, aged 19, returned a 64 while American lefthander Paul Peterson and Bio Kim from Korea ended third one stroke behind after firing 68 and 69 respectively.

Ratchanon at 15 years old and 37 days old improved upon the previous best youngest winner mark set by Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who was 15 years and eight months when won the Japan Tour’s 2007 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup.

And on the Asian Tour Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil had been the previous youngest champion, having claimed the 2005 Double A International Open when he was 17 years and five days old.

In one of the most captivating and historic finishes to an Asian Tour event, a whole host of players were in contention on the back nine.

But Ratchanon, playing in the penultimate group, made the decisive move when he birdied 14 and 15, for a three-shot lead over the chasing pack.

His cause was also helped when Kim, playing two groups ahead, found water on 17 and made bogey.

That appeared to hand victory to Ratchanon but Kim sensationally holed a 15 footer for eagle on the par-five 18th to get to 18 under and give the young Thai golfer a one-shot lead playing the last.

Once again showing maturity beyond his years, Ratchanon split the fairway with his drive, laid up safely short and holed a birdie putt from 12 feet.

“I am very excited, but I felt a lot of pressure,” said Ratchanon.

“I got to be honest, I got pretty lucky, I had hit two or three terrible drives. I saw that [Kim eagled 10] and was not surprised, he pulls off that stuff all the time. It put pressure on me but I tried not to look at it too much. I definitely have a lot of people to thank.”

The rising star, who studies at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok, has no plans to turn professional and will compete in the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam.

He said: “This has been my plan all along. I enjoy going to college and learning everything. I have talked to a lot of players, and they have all said go to college.”

He also became the fifth amateur to win on the Asian Tour and first since 2009.

Kim, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, had the consolation of receiving the US$135,000 winners’ cheque.

“Made a careless mistake on 17 but recovered well with the eagle but let’s face it, TK deserves this. There is no stopping him. But this week has given me a lot of confidence for the season ahead,” said Kim.

Four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin from the United States returned a 67 to finish in outright fifth, while in a tie for sixth was 17-year-old Chanoknan Angurasaranee from Thailand.

The US$750,000 tournament marked the first time the Asian Tour have staged a mixed event, as it is being jointly sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).

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Significant ranking rise likely for Cameron Smith

Smith already # 6 in the world could climb significantly higher – photo USGA

Cameron Smith stands an outside chance of graduating to the top of the world ranking should he win the Masters tomorrow and if the current leader of the event, Scottie Scheffler, was to finish lower than tied for third.

The chances of Scheffler slipping that far appear remote however given his current form but even if Smith was to overcome the three-shot lead Scheffler has on him with one round to play and win his first major title and Scheffler finish second or third then the Queenslander would move to number two in the world ranking.

According to advice from the world ranking organisation the following is possible tomorrow.

“If any current World Top 5 player wins the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club this week a place at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking will be guaranteed as a result.

World Number 6 Cameron Smith also has a chance to become World Number One with victory provided Scottie Scheffler finishes lower than tied 3rd with 1 other player and Jon Rahm doesn’t finish 2nd alone.”

As is the case with Scheffler, such a jump in standings is remarkable given that Scheffler was ranked 12th at the end of 2021 and Smith 21st.

Both have recorded remarkable seasons already in 2022 but a win by either tomorrow would not only add a first major title to stunning resumes but a cheque for US$2.7 million.

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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.

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Smith loses ground but stays in touch as Scheffler shines


Cameron Smith in action this week – photo Kohjiro Kinno Augusta National

Cameron Smith’s second round of 74 on Friday at the Masters has seen him slip from a share of 2nd after the opening round of 68 to a tie for 6th but two late birdies today have kept him in touch with contention as the event heads into the weekend.

Smith trails the 36 hole leader, Scottie Scheffler, by six shots but, importantly for his chances of challenging for the title over the weekend, he is just one shot out of a four way tie for second place.

In strong winds and cool temperatures, Smith struggled to build any momentum after a bogey at the the opening hole today, his first birdie coming after a delightful pitch to two feet at the par five 15th, followed by another at the 18th when his second finished 4 feet from the hole.

It was the ideal finish and turned an ordinary round into something more than acceptable, especially given the troubles many others in the field were experiencing.

“Yeah, it was good,” said Smith. “Pretty brutal day out there today. Lots of quality golf shots that go to 40, 50 feet, and it gets quite frustrating at times. Just hung in there and made a few nice swings in there. Good for a couple of birdies.

“I feel as though I hit lots of really quality shots into the green and just really didn’t have any birdie opportunities. It was so windy and gusty out there, quite hard to get the speed on the greens as well.

“Yeah, it was, I think, 2-over in the end. Probably wasn’t the worst.”

When asked his thoughts on the weekend he responded; “More of the same. It’s windy tomorrow, so, yeah, just stay aggressive. I think the course will probably firm up a little bit. Just something to be wary of, but just stay aggressive and try to make some birdies.

“I typically don’t love the cold, but a little bit of probably extra warming up, I guess, in the morning and get the body prepped and get ready for a good one tomorrow.”

Smith leads the Australians by six shots, Adam Scott, Minwoo Lee, Cameron Davis and Marc Leishman all finishing on the cut mark of 4 over and playing their way into the weekend field.

Lucas Herbert was the only Australian to miss the cut finishing two shots outside the required mark.

Scott fought his way back from an opening round of 74 to be at even par for the tournament through nine holes. He would bogey the 10th but was still well enough placed when about to play his third after laying up at the par 5 15th.

His pitch there however would spin back off the green into the water and he would eventually finish with a triple bogey and although he birdied the 16th after a tee shot to three feet, he then three putted from just off the green at the 17th and needed a par at the last to stay in the tournament.

Scott was able to do just that but he needed an nine foot par saving putt to do so.

“It was tough,” said Scott. “I was playing really well, and 15 bit me. That’s Augusta National. You live on a knife’s edge every hole honestly, and I was playing with a guy who made it look easy. But that’s how he’s playing at the moment.

“I was playing really, really solid stuff and just misjudged it into 15 and pitched it probably two yards short of my number and ripped it in the water. That hole can give you nightmares, and I had one today.

“I like where my game’s at. It was a tough day out there today. It was really tough on the greens, and I missed a couple putts, but I also made a lot of putts too, which is good news. If I can just kind of keep a big number off the card over the weekend, I think I can have two solid days.

“I’d be surprised if I can get myself right up there. He’s a long way away from me at the moment, but you just never know around here. 11 holes ago, I was three off the lead, so it can turn around quick.”

Leishman made the turn at 1 over for the tournament and appeared to be comfortable as far as his weekend aspirations were concerned.

Things did not quite turn out that way as he bogeyed the 10th, 15th and 18th to finish right on the mark for weekend work.

“I mean today should have been up my alley,” said Leishman. “It was, but as I say, the putts weren’t dropping. We’ll try and sort that out this afternoon and get a clear head. You know how it goes when you’re not making putts. You feel like you’re never going to make another one again.

“Hopefully I can be here in a different frame of mind tomorrow afternoon talking to you and talking about how good my 63 was.”

Lee and Davis have done extremely well to make the weekend on their debuts at Augusta National.

Lee’s round of 75 was a roller coaster, five bogeys and two birdies but importantly the second of those birdies came at the par 3 16th when, after all but playing his way out of the tournament, his tee shot finished eight feet from the hole and when converted he was back on the cut line where he remained.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Lee. “It was just a grind out there. It’s a really tough track. Obviously with the wind, the back nine is just tough. I gave my mom a hug, and it’s really — and dad a hug, and it’s really, really nice, I guess. You work hard to get to this point. Just made it into the top 50 at the end of the year to get into the tournament.

“Getting into the tournament’s a good achievement, but to actually play well, it’s another step. So I knew I had to keep my head down. I’m glad some of my best golf has come now.”

Davis might well have been thinking what he might do for the weekend when he bogeyed the 10th and 11th after an outward nine of 39 to be 8 over for the tournament and four shots outside the likely cut.

The Sydney golfer would however record a remarkable burst over the closing six holes with four birdies in that stretch including one from 18 feet at the last to make the cut on the number. It was a stunning comeback and has given him the chance to play the weekend at the Masters on debut.

The leader however has stolen quite a march on the field. Scottie Scheffler is playing his third Masters and with two top twenties previously and a run of three wins in his last five starts he is the in form golfer and one who is building experience on the nuances of Augusta National.

Importantly for his chances is that despite his relative newness to the PGA Tour, he has recorded top tens in the three other major championship and  and could well go on with it over the weekend.

That he has reached the mantle of world number one so quickly in his career is a reflection on not only great brilliance but great consistency and while his five shot lead is perhaps a surprise that he is leading is not.

Augusta National has a way of evening things out over the final 36 holes on a golf course where there is such a fine line between pleasure and pain but a five shot lead has given Scheffler reason to believe he can not only be the world number one but a major winner as well.

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