Jason Day backs Cameron Smith to rediscover top form after Masters missed cut
Evin Priest
Augusta, Georgia: Jason Day rallied round fellow Australian Cameron Smith and backed the previous British Open winner to rediscover top form after two lacklustre Masters rounds ensured Smith would miss a sixth consecutive cut on the majors.
Smith, an proprietor of 5 top 10s on the Masters together with a share of second in 2020, carded rounds of 74, 77 this week to end at seven over par and three photographs exterior the four-over cut line at Augusta National.
He had by no means missed the weekend at Augusta National till the final two Masters. The common Brisbane star merely did not hit sufficient greens in regulation at Augusta – he discovered 15 of 36 – to get pleasure from stress-free pars and birdie possibilities.
Smith made 10 bogeys, a double bogey and solely 5 birdies in two rounds.
Overall, the 32-year-old, who’s adjusting to balancing fatherhood with elite golf, missed the weekend on the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon, earlier than exiting all 4 majors early in 2025 and now the Masters.
Smith’s profession is one in every of Australia’s greatest, with a significant and a Players Championship amongst six PGA Tour victories in addition to three LIV Golf wins. He has bagged three Australian PGA titles. Smith additionally owns profession top 10s in all three majors that he hasn’t gained.
World No.41 Day was requested about his fellow Queenslander at Augusta after climbing to 4 beneath courtesy of a second-round 71 that also left him properly again of runaway chief at 12 beneath, Rory McIlroy (65).
The 38-year-old Day went by means of a five-year win drought of his personal that morphed right into a profession stoop throughout which noticed his world rating plummet to No.175 in 2022. The 2015 PGA Championship winner clawed again and gained his thirteenth PGA Tour win in 2023.
Day mentioned he felt Smith may return to his greatest after navigating a tough patch.
“Yeah, I think – Cammy, he’s such a good golfer,” Day mentioned. “He was at a excessive of No. 2 on the earth. He’s an unreal golfer. He has an incredible quick recreation and actually good wedge recreation.
“It’s unfortunate [because] this golf course actually should suit him really well. He’s a great putter, too. He might be going through a bit of a tough run right now, especially during the majors. He could win the next major and we’re not thinking about it again.
“When you’re going through it, it feels like you’re so far away. But if you can try and find the positives [it helps]. It’s unfortunate to hear [of the missed cuts]. “He’s been a good buddy of mine for a long time.”
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